







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 | |
|---|---|
| Anyway, do you live around here, too? | |
| Don't you think two forks are enough for us? | |
| I need some parsley, but it looks a bit limp. | |
| Nope, it gives me a headache! | |
| The rest of the house is okay, but the kitchen is a bit dirty. | |
| I don't like their chardonnay. | |
| What's the reason for the cancellation this time? | |
| Okay, I found it... but it looks filthy! | |
| Oh f*ck, what kind of tap is this? | |
| Do you go to the Windmill often? | |
| Hey, we are back. | |
| Did you check carefully, don't we have any at all? | |
| Do you have a cigarette? | |
| That's why they're 50% off. | |
| So I don't snore everyday... | |
| Yeah, I want to see the bathroom... | |
| I have two more lessons, I finish at three thirty. | |
| They don't usually work after ten o'clock. | |
| I don't think you really want me to stay here anymore! | |
| Yes, I like them, too. | |