







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 | |
|---|---|
| Thank you again for giving me your turn. | |
| That's a good question! | |
| I mean, you look too young to be a teacher. | |
| Do we have a sieve? | |
| I'm really sorry, what kind of sickness is it? | |
| Your perfectly shaped mushrooms are ready! | |
| In the recipe it says 600g. | |
| Look, there is a shop assistant. | |
| I'm so sorry about the inconvenience. | |
| I don't think it's hay fever! I believe it's from the cat... | |
| Yeah, the packet is ripped, but it's not overdue. | |
| My sisters live nearby, they help her sometimes. | |
| Erm.. Isn't it there? | |
| Do you think electric stoves are better? | |
| I have one sister and she is nineteen. | |
| No, she is totally fine, thankfully. | |
| Do you want me to wash the wine bottle before I pour it? | |
| So I don't snore everyday... | |
| It's Marvin Gaye, from the 60's, but this is the remix. | |
| Are you close friends? | |