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 | |
---|---|
Yeah, it's quite a big country, more like a continent. | 是的,那是相当大的一个国家,更像一个大洲。 |
Are you close friends? | 你们是密友吗? |
I think Diego and I are the only smokers in the house. | 我想这个房子里就迭戈和我抽烟。 |
I'm sorry for not showing up at your opening. | 我很抱歉没能出席你的开张典礼。 |
What is it about? | 它是关于什么的呢? |
Yes, the guy with the beard is Mike. | 是的,留胡子的那个是迈克。 |
It won't change anything, but reminding me is stressing me out! | 这改变不了什么,但是提醒我让我压力山大啊! |
Because you are in it. | 因为你在其中。 |
What genre do you listen to? | 你喜欢听哪种体裁的? |
Also, one of my friends works there. | 而且,我有一个朋友在那里工作。 |
Why is that rice so special? | 那种米为什么如此特殊? |
I guess I can meet you there at 20:30, or is it too late? | 我猜,我们可以在8点半在那里碰面,或者这是不是太晚了? |
I don't know, maximum 33? | 我不知道,最多33岁? |
I don't mind sitting outside as long as I'm not cold. | 我不介意坐在外面,只要不冷就行。 |
Those kind of irresponsible people make me angry! | 这种不负责任的人真让我生气! |
His name's Sergio. | 他的名字叫塞尔吉奥。 |
Okay, who sings it? | 好的,谁唱的? |
It's difficult to find all the items manually on the self-checkout. | 自助结账很难手动找到所有的商品。 |
Do you live in this house, too? | 你也住在这个房子里吗? |
No, but that's what I feel like having... | 没有,但是这是我想吃的... |