







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 don't know, probably put it in the bin. | |
| Hang on a minute, they are both 300 gr and the same brand. | |
| I have two more lessons, I finish at three thirty. | |
| That's why I never trust quiet people... | |
| It's not a big deal but it's quite an important thing to mention. | |
| It's £135 per week! | |
| Sometimes he doesn't even recognize my mum. | |
| I don't want to talk about this issue in this house. | |
| I'm sorry, I'm not good at remembering names sometimes! | |
| Yeah, you are right, it's more useful when you have less things. | |
| Come on dear, I know you want me to! | |
| I'm on my way to Brighton, nearly there! | |
| These days I'm into 60's, 70's remixes. | |
| I am, I have to be there at 12:30. | |
| Is there a garlic crusher, then? | |
| Sorry, is it possible to see it this Saturday after 2 o'clock? | |
| My housemates don't clean anything in the kitchen. | |
| Hang on, there is another web site that says... | |
| I haven't seen her, either, and I don't really want to... | |
| Because we know them and have their mobile numbers? | |