







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 | |
|---|---|
| There is no direct flight from London to Perth. | Il n'y a pas d vol direct de Londres à Perth. |
| Do you want me to slice the mushrooms for you? | Tu veux que je coupe les champignons pour toi? |
| I don't want you to spend a fortune. | Je n'ai pas envie que tu dépenses une fortune. |
| He is fine. | Il va bien. |
| I don't like their chardonnay. | Je n'aime pas leur Chardonnay. |
| Hi, is your cat okay? | Bonjour, est-ce que votre chat va bien ? |
| See you Mike, hope to see you again. | Merci Mike, en espérant te revoir. |
| I'm a web designer. | Je suis web designer. |
| Is it because it's too violent? | Est-ce parce que c'est trop violent ? |
| Yes, it was quite easy, actually, I live very close by. | Oui, c'était assez facile en fait, j'habite pas loin. |
| My cat is in the garden. | Mon Chat est dans le jardin. |
| Because I'm sure they don't serve bugs in London! | Parce que je sûre qu'ils ne servent pas d'insectes à Londres ! |
| It's the second one from the top. | C'est le deuxième en partant du haut. |
| Did I? I don't know... What is it? | Ah bon? Je ne sais pas... Qu'est-ce que c'est? |
| I'm an English teacher. | Je suis professeur d'anglais. |
| But I want to see Brighton Pier before the sun sets. | Mais j'ai envie de voir la jetée de Brighton avant que le soleil ne se couche. |
| Where is Flora, isn't she here? | Où est Flora, n'est-elle pas là? |
| It seems there is no one in the house! | On dirait qu'il n'y a personne à la maison! |
| My rent is monthly, I pay £600 per month. | Je paye mensuellement, 600£ par mois. |
| Yeah, it's normal, he even hisses at my new socks sometimes! | Ouais, c'est normal, il feule même quand j'achète de nouvelles chaussettes! |