







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've found 2, too, there aren't many options in Camden Lock. | |
| Erm, by the way, since we are on the subject... | |
| My dad is British and my mum is Australian. | |
| That's a very interesting combination. | |
| But on the ad it says the house is fully furnished! | |
| Those kind of irresponsible people make me angry! | |
| Well, I don't think we need to cook too many things at once. | |
| Hello, what kind of dog do you have, Mike? | |
| Come on in, here on the ground floor, we have two bedrooms... | |
| To me, wasting it is weirder! | |
| Yeah, I guess spring is the worst time for allergies! | |
| I have no idea what arborio rice is! | |
| Hey, Cate! Do you need anything? | |
| I'm an English teacher. | |
| Oh god, I feel too tired now. | |
| Sorry, madam, Friday is one of our busiest nights! | |
| Hello guys, you must be Cate, I'm Joseph. | |
| My beard makes me look older, I think. | |
| Nope, oyster cards are only for transport in London. | |
| And these days, I go to that pub quite often. | |