







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 | |
|---|---|
| I really don't want to see her again! | |
| Is it possible to move in tomorrow? | |
| Is she here with you? | |
| Sorry, is it possible to see it this Saturday after 2 o'clock? | |
| Maybe I get a bit moody on the first day of my period. | |
| Hope to see you later. | |
| Why don't we pay 100 more each, and get a house in Mayfair? | |
| Are you close friends? | |
| He must be sleeping, he usually works at night, too. | |
| I've experienced how difficult and expensive it can be. | |
| Do you have a cigarette? | |
| Of course, here you go, this is the bathroom. | |
| Okay, who sings it? | |
| Come on, Mike, it's not about me being home. | |
| What’s their name? | |
| I want to be sober and energetic for tomorrow. | |
| I think one room is empty upstairs at the moment. | |
| He is one of my best friends, unfortunately. | |
| Oh yeah, it's our girls' night out tonight. | |
| No worries Mike, as I said, he only does it when he is stressed. | |