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 | |
---|---|
Do they weigh them here or at the checkout? | |
And sometimes they don't come home for days. | |
Welcome to the Diamond Duck, do you have a reservation, sir? | |
I'm calling him now then, do you want anything else? | |
Maybe we can get something on the way to the station. | |
Toby! This is Cate, she is my... friend, from London. | |
Is it hay fever? I've got some pills for it! | |
Hello, my name is Mike, I'm Cate's boyfriend... | |
Sorry to ask, but are you on your period or something? | |
It's very difficult to talk to you on the phone right now. | |
Come on, Mike, it's not about me being home. | |
Good thanks, I'm fine, too. | |
Is she here with you? | |
Yeah, it's a very popular restaurant. | |
I hate them buzzing around my ear all night long and waking me up. | |
But everybody calls him Rocco. | |
Hmm... actually, we have to boil it. | |
Also, he has got a very lovely, cute dog. | |
And secondly, vets are so expensive! | |
Is your father sick? |