







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 | |
|---|---|
| Yeah, it is very important for me, actually. | |
| Hm, okay... I think I got it, is it like Pinocchio? | |
| I don't know, maximum 33? | |
| I think that *hand caught on fire* thing is a joke! | |
| Exactly, I hate getting woken up in the middle of the night! | |
| That's where Diego works, too! | |
| But I don't know him well. | |
| And it's hard to believe, but it's clean. | |
| So Pogo gets on very well with dogs. | |
| Of course! It's my favourite pub. | |
| Yeah, it's better not to fully fill the bath, it leaks downstairs. | |
| Hi girls, this is Mike. | |
| I'm sorry guys, there is no negotiation on the rent! | |
| Also, I think we all need to leave soon. | |
| Where is my f*cking tenner? | |
| What's your maximum monthly budget for the rent? | |
| You know, I usually have some early morning lessons. | |
| I'm an English teacher. | |
| Yes, it is, but yours isn't so obvious. | |
| By the way, I like the colour of the walls... What do you think? | |