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 | |
---|---|
Yes sir, you can have a seat at this table. | 好的,先生,您可以坐这张桌。 |
Sorry to ask, but are you on your period or something? | 抱歉问一下,你正处在生理期还是有别的原因? |
Hello guys, you must be Cate, I'm Joseph. | 大家好,你一定是凯特,我是约瑟夫。 |
I agree, long flights aren't very pleasant. | 我同意,长途飞行令人不怎么舒服。 |
Do you like train rides, too? | 你也喜欢乘火车吗? |
Is it a single or a double room? | 单人间还是双人间? |
No, I'm a real estate agent. | 不,我是房产中介。 |
Is it the one with the blue tongue? | 是那种有蓝色舌头的狗吗? |
No, I don't have one! | 没有! |
It's impossible for me to commute from zone-9 to 1 everyday. | 让我每天在9区和1区之间往返是不可能的。 |
Okay, how much salt do you want me to add? | 好的,你想要我加多少盐? |
Do we have any paper towels? | 我们有纸巾吗? |
Is there a garlic crusher, then? | 那有压蒜器吗? |
It's not for me, it's for the rice, dear! | 不是给我喝的,是做米饭用的,亲爱的! |
Hey, Cate! Do you need anything? | 嘿,凯特!你有什么需要吗? |
And Pogo gets very scared of the crowd and the noise. | 波哥对人群和噪音感到非常恐惧。 |
Cate, are you okay? You seem a little bit aggressive. | 凯特,你还好吧?你看起来有点暴躁。 |
As I'm a smoker, I prefer sitting outside. | 因为我吸烟,所以我更愿意坐在外面。 |
Of course, there are 4 girls, all uni students from Germany. | 当然可以,有4个女孩,都是来自德国的大学生。 |
As I said, it's much easier to open with two people. | 正如我说的,两个个一起开要容易的多。 |