







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 | |
|---|---|
| Oh yeah, it's our girls' night out tonight. | |
| Hello, I'm sorry I'm a bit late. | |
| Hi there, it's not Dick, it's Nick... Starts with N. | |
| There is nothing much left to do, there are only bits and pieces. | |
| Are they older or younger? | |
| Come on, Mike, it's not about me being home. | |
| Bacon and eggs with some olives is enough for me. | |
| I think I did, too, but I've got a really bad headache! | |
| I have two more lessons, I finish at three thirty. | |
| Ah, I can't eat the breast, it's too dry for me! | |
| No, it's not okay, I'm screwed now! | |
| To me, wasting it is weirder! | |
| I searched: does Pinocchio know he is not a real boy. | |
| Sorry, madam, Friday is one of our busiest nights! | |
| You are right, is there anything you want me to buy on the way? | |
| The other one is 3,000, but includes all bills. | |
| Where is your school, is it in central London? | |
| No worries, I am not together with Mike. | |
| It seems there is no one in the house! | |
| I can't call him at the moment because his phone is unreachable. | |