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 didn't know that, I hope it's not a big problem for him. | |
Unfortunately, I don't have one! Where is yours? | |
Absolutely not, while you are working you smoke like a chimney. | |
But which button? It doesn't show which controls which! | |
Hang on, I remember you telling me you never kill animals! | |
My laptop is in it. | |
Yeah, I like having lasagne the day after it's cooked, it tastes better. | |
The recipe is for 6 people. | |
The meeting is not the actual problem! | |
Is that what you want to do? | |
Congratulations... But is Pogo a pet's name? | |
I will ask him to take Bear out, so we can have breakfast. | |
Thanks for offering me that, dear. | |
I hope it's not the right address! It looks awful. | |
No, this one is the shop's own brand, that's why it's not expensive. | |
It's not a nice thing to do. | |
I think 4000 quid is big enough. | |
People take cutlery to their rooms and don't bring it back! | |
That's okay, I don't mind. | |
Set times always stress me out. |