







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 | |
|---|---|
| That's why you have a headache now! | |
| Wow, that's unbelievable, is it yours? | |
| Do you want the tray in the middle? | |
| Can you please not forget to take some poo bags with you! | |
| Where is my f*cking tenner? | |
| My friend noted here it is your wedding anniversary! | |
| Why? What's wrong? | |
| People take cutlery to their rooms and don't bring it back! | |
| This is my boyfriend, Mike. | |
| I guess I can meet you there at 20:30, or is it too late? | |
| Yeah, you are right, it's more useful when you have less things. | |
| But it has expired and it has a hole in it. | |
| Sure, our kitchen is newly refurbished... | |
| I can't believe you still don't get it! | |
| I hope you are aware it's your last 3 days to find a house... | |
| Mike! You can't use people's stuff without asking! | |
| Hey, which is the closest station to China Town? | |
| I don't want to talk about this issue in this house. | |
| I don't think you really want me to stay here anymore! | |
| Mike, 250 degrees is the highest! | |