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 | |
---|---|
Do you want to bet on it? | 你想打赌吗? |
Yes, that's okay, we are just about to leave. | 是的,可以,我们正要离开。 |
Yes, they are all around 2 pounds. | 是的,它们都在2英镑左右。 |
And these days, I go to that pub quite often. | 这些日子我经常会去那间酒吧。 |
Do we have a sieve? | 我们有滤网吗? |
Don't worry Mike, I think this one is better. | 没事,迈克,我觉得这张桌更好。 |
Okay, if you say so, I trust you! | 好的,既然你这样说,我相信你! |
Well, maybe we can get a 2 bedroom flat. What do you think? | 好的,也许我们能找到一个2居室的公寓。你说呢? |
You never pick Bear's poo up from the pavement. | 你从来都不会清理大熊拉在路面上的粪便。 |
Is that what you want me to do? | 这是你想要我做的吗? |
Is the first one washing the dishes or cleaning? | 最讨厌的是洗盘子或清洁吗? |
What line is it on? | 它在哪一号线上? |
I want to try the sauvignon blanc. | 我想试一下白索维农。 |
Okay, here we are, this is Honeybrook Street. | 好的,我们到了,这是哈尼布鲁克街。 |
I don't want you to spend a fortune. | 我可不想花一大笔钱。 |
Hello madam, are you still on the line? | 您好,女士,你还在线吗? |
But... I'm not good at lying... | 但是... 我不擅长撒谎... |
Toby! This is Cate, she is my... friend, from London. | 托比!这是凯特,她是我的...朋友,从伦敦来的。 |
For the risotto, I need some arborio rice. | 对于意大利肉汁烩饭,我需要一些意大利米。 |
My housemates don't clean anything in the kitchen. | 我的室友们从来不会清洁厨房里的任何东西。 |