







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 | |
|---|---|
| I wish you all the best. | |
| Hey, we are back. | |
| Do you live around here? | |
| Cate, are you okay? You seem a little bit aggressive. | |
| Also, he has got a very lovely, cute dog. | |
| But sometimes I feel guilty not being there! | |
| I can cook, of course, but only when I feel like it. | |
| Do you want me to put the chicken into the cooker first? | |
| Is it hay fever? I've got some pills for it! | |
| Okay, that's fine. | |
| Oh god, it's the second thing I hate doing in the kitchen! | |
| It says best before 25th of February. | |
| Do you want me to slice the mushrooms for you? | |
| Yes, the guy with the beard is Mike. | |
| Why is that? | |
| Sorry Mrs. Jones, there is a misunderstanding... | |
| Okay, I found it... but it looks filthy! | |
| With gas stoves, someone can leave the gas on, it's too dangerous! | |
| There is a little market near the school. | |
| I've found 2, too, there aren't many options in Camden Lock. | |