







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 | |
|---|---|
| When I have free time. | |
| I have one sister and she is nineteen. | |
| Oh f*ck off, I've got to go now... | |
| I live just opposite the pub. | |
| Yes, the guy with the beard is Mike. | |
| Of course! It's my favourite pub. | |
| Oh god, it's the second thing I hate doing in the kitchen! | |
| Why is that? | |
| Maybe I know your friend. | |
| Oh, come on dear, I was just joking, you know that... | |
| Here you can take it, be careful, it's very hot. | |
| What do you want me to do with them? | |
| You know tomorrow is my last day. | |
| I feel a bit tired and very hungry. | |
| Yeah, I'll have a beer, I guess you want wine, Cate? | |
| Do you have a cigarette? | |
| It's still £5 more than the bigger room! | |
| I don't want to talk about this issue in this house. | |
| These days I'm into 60's, 70's remixes. | |
| First of all, it's so sad to see them in pain. | |