







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 | |
|---|---|
| That's nice, I guess I like the house very much! | |
| Is that you, Mike? | |
| I don't know, maximum 33? | |
| Hi, I don't think it's broken. | |
| What do you expect English teachers to look like? | |
| Also, I think we all need to leave soon. | |
| The place I am having the meeting is very close to Brighton Pier. | |
| I wear some of them, can I check them when I get back? | |
| That's a very interesting combination. | |
| For the risotto, I need some arborio rice. | |
| How much are they supposed to pay? | |
| Yes, I still don't do it. | |
| That's nice... I hope she is not a teenager! How old is she? | |
| She is half Japanese, half Australian. | |
| I prefer red onions. | |
| Is it really on the menu? | |
| Isn't Morrison's closer? | |
| My husband and I really appreciate it. | |
| Um, I don't feel like eating anything but fish today. | |
| Yeah, he is keen on moving house... | |