







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've got a meeting with some people. | Je dois voir des gens. |
| I don't think it's normal, do you think it's normal? | Je ne pense pas que ce soit normal, et toi? |
| Sh*t! I can't believe it's already 10:30! | Merde ! Il est déjà 22:30 ! |
| Plus the bathroom and the kitchen are clean. | En plus, la cuisine et la salle de bain sont propres. |
| Do we have any bread to toast? | Est-ce qu'on a du pain à toaster? |
| It's £135 per week! | 135£ par semaine! |
| Oh, I think I know them. | Oh, je crois que je sais ce que c'est. |
| Hello Mike, not much, how are you? | Salut Mike, pas vraiment, et toi? |
| I wish you all the best. | Je vous souhaite tout le meilleur. |
| Is one bunch enough for you? | Un bouquet de semble-t-il suffisant ? |
| Thanks father, where is Bear's lead? | Merci papa, où est la laisse de Bear? |
| That's true! How much is your rent? | C'est vrai! Combien coûte ton loyer? |
| The other one is 3,000, but includes all bills. | L'autre est à 3000, mais cela inclut les factures. |
| Then people come and complain to me! | Et les gens viennent se plaindre! |
| It's too fruity. | Il est trop fruité. |
| Do you really think it looks like we have a cleaner? | Est-ce qu'on a une tête à avoir un domestique? |
| I'm sure it's where it always is. | Je suis sûr qu'elle est à sa place. |
| It's still £5 more than the bigger room! | C'est quand même 5£ de plus que la plus grande chambre! |
| Do you want me to tell her that you are here? | Veux-tu que j'aille lui dire que tu es là? |
| Is it possible to move in tomorrow? | C'est possible d'emménager demain? |