







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 | |
|---|---|
| Thanks for offering me that, dear. | |
| That's why you can't find the answer! | |
| No, I'm not lying! I never lie. | |
| By the way, I like the colour of the walls... What do you think? | |
| Congratulations... But is Pogo a pet's name? | |
| Is it hay fever? I've got some pills for it! | |
| Okay, I don't like cooking, but I like tasting food. | |
| Yeah, it's open here already... | |
| Is there anything else I can do for you, love? | |
| It's got some water marks on it! | |
| The room is spacious and sunny and the bed looks comfortable! | |
| I need some parsley, but it looks a bit limp. | |
| Yeah, it's normal, he even hisses at my new socks sometimes! | |
| Or worse, sometimes they throw a party at home! | |
| Yeah, he is keen on moving house... | |
| Okay, maybe it's better for you to have some rest. | |
| Do you know her well? | |
| I know, I thought you might like to have it with her alone. | |
| Unfortunately, she is a teenager, she is 19! | |
| It's usually at the top right of your screen. | |