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 | |
---|---|
Shall we meet at the train station, or do you want me to pick you up from your house? | |
I don't think we need to pay for it. | |
I have two more lessons, I finish at three thirty. | |
Toby! This is Cate, she is my... friend, from London. | |
Oh, come on dear, I was just joking, you know that... | |
Let me check... when is best for you? | |
I hope she is not a problematic one, then... | |
Yeah, I want to see the bathroom... | |
I go out sometimes with the girls from school. | |
I don't think you really want me to stay here anymore! | |
I would like to... But I have other things to do... | |
Well, I don't think we need to cook too many things at once. | |
Hm, it's comes to roughly £150 a week, it's about the same. | |
Anyway, you only have 10 days left to leave that house. | |
And on the ground floor we have easy access to the garden. | |
Erm... You look about 30? | |
No, she is a uni student in Russia. | |
That's so sad, how old are your parents? | |
Yeah, I'll have a beer, I guess you want wine, Cate? | |
Hi girls, this is Mike. |