







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Here you can take it, be careful, it's very hot. | |
| The place I am having the meeting is very close to Brighton Pier. | |
| No, actually, he is properly toilet trained. | |
| Isn't that funny? | |
| Watch out for the 3rd step, it's not very stable. | |
| I mean, you don't live here with anyone from your family. | |
| I usually take the train. | |
| So 2017 minus 1841 equals... | |
| Let me check, we only need butter. | |
| Nope, oyster cards are only for transport in London. | |
| I wear some of them, can I check them when I get back? | |
| I'm checking again, there are only two forks and a teaspoon! | |
| Excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom. | |
| Good point, I'm sure they don't pay that much! | |
| But... I'm not good at lying... | |
| And it's hard to believe, but it's clean. | |
| Really? I don't want to ruin your plan, but... | |
| I am, I have to be there at 12:30. | |
| The cat is not actually mine, it's my girlfriend's cat. | |
| I think so, at least there is no aggression. | |