







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 | |
|---|---|
| Okay, we have all the things we need, then. | Ok, on a tout ce qu'il nous faut alors. |
| Do you like train rides, too? | Aimez-vous les voyages en train aussi ? |
| It's all about my lovely little cat, Pogo. | Tout est à propos de mon chaton, Pogo. |
| Are you with your friends? | Etes-vous avec vos amis ? |
| Of course, here you go, this is the bathroom. | Bien sûr, voici la salle de bains. |
| Girls, this is Diego. | Les filles, voici Diego. |
| Do you like them with or without the skin on? | Tu les veux avec ou sans la peau? |
| Oh sorry dear, my husband has some difficulties hearing... | Oh, désolé mon cher, mon mari à des difficultés pour entendre... |
| My rent is monthly, I pay £600 per month. | Je paye mensuellement, 600£ par mois. |
| The rice section is over there. | Le rayon des riz est ici. |
| It has 1 year to pass its expiry date. | Il a un an encore avant qu'il ne passe sa date de péremption. |
| Is it the one with the blue tongue? | Est-ce celui avec la langue bleue ? |
| Who knows, I consider it as nothing more than a hobby. | Qui sait? Je pense plus qu'il s'agit d'un hobby. |
| I feel a bit tired and very hungry. | Je me sens un peu fatiguée et j'ai très faim. |
| You are absolutely right! | Vous avez absolument raison ! |
| It's not much less... There is a slight difference! | C'est pas très loin de là... Il y a une infime différence! |
| I can't believe you still don't get it! | Je n'arrive pas à croire que tu n'aies toujours pas compris ! |
| When you stop believing we can get a house in Mayfair for 2,400! | Lorsque tu arrêteras de croire qu'on peut avoir une maison à Mayfair pour 2400 ! |
| Well, that's another problem! | Et bien, c'est un autre souci! |
| I've experienced how difficult and expensive it can be. | J'ai déjà vu à quel point ils étaient chers. |