







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 | |
|---|---|
| Your perfectly shaped mushrooms are ready! | |
| Aren't there four of us dear? | |
| That's nice, I guess I like the house very much! | |
| It's Marvin Gaye, from the 60's, but this is the remix. | |
| Umm, Dick is here, dear, he is the landlord... | |
| And now we've got plenty of mushrooms left to use. | |
| Watch out for the 3rd step, it's not very stable. | |
| No, she is a uni student in Russia. | |
| He looks like he is interested in you! | |
| Is one bunch enough for you? | |
| Toby! This is Cate, she is my... friend, from London. | |
| Is it a single or a double room? | |
| So I don't snore everyday... | |
| Thanks father, where is Bear's lead? | |
| You don’t look like an English teacher to me. | |
| Sh*t! I can't believe it's already 10:30! | |
| That's fine, I'm almost ready. | |
| I go out sometimes with the girls from school. | |
| Sometimes he doesn't even recognize my mum. | |
| It seems there is no one in the house! | |