







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 | |
|---|---|
| Very nice! I hope he doesn't do it all the time! | |
| You can just stay with me, until you find somewhere to live. | |
| I think I did, too, but I've got a really bad headache! | |
| Do you think electric stoves are better? | |
| Hi, is your cat okay? | |
| Do you go to the Windmill often? | |
| Are you with your friends? | |
| Good point, I'm sure they don't pay that much! | |
| There is a little market near the school. | |
| But it has expired and it has a hole in it. | |
| Yeah, I think killing mosquitoes is fair. | |
| But which button? It doesn't show which controls which! | |
| Thanks for offering me that, dear. | |
| It's not much less... There is a slight difference! | |
| Exactly, so do you think snails are bugs or not? | |
| That's why you can't find the answer! | |
| Sorry to ask, but are you on your period or something? | |
| It's not a nice thing to do. | |
| They weigh everything at the checkout. | |
| Is there a garlic crusher, then? | |