







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 don't think it's normal, do you think it's normal? | |
| It's on the Northern line, the same one we use here. | |
| Eating leftovers during the week saves me some time. | |
| They are both okay for me. | |
| I hope it's not related to me! | |
| Sorry, I don't have much time, can I tell you the story when I'm back? | |
| Yes, sorry, everything seems filthy, but believe me, it's not my fault! | |
| Are you sure she is from Australia? | |
| Okay, here we are, this is Honeybrook Street. | |
| Is there anything else I can do for you, love? | |
| It's too fruity. | |
| Pogo is my little cat, is there a problem with that? | |
| Do you need to wake up early tomorrow or something? | |
| Yes, my number is 0773***0282. | |
| That's why I never trust quiet people... | |
| Oh look at this big boy, he gets bigger everytime I see him! | |
| You look much younger than that. | |
| Why did you ask, do you want me to boil it? | |
| Girls, this is Diego. | |
| Hey Mike, you look so worried! | |