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 | |
---|---|
Is the first one washing the dishes or cleaning? | |
It's got some water marks on it! | |
How is your mum, does she have any health problems? | |
There is one at 11:00 and the next one is at 11:20. | |
I can't imagine myself being on a plane for that long! | |
Um, on this floor, it's only me and a French girl next door. | |
Hey, there is a stranger in the toilet, who is he? | |
It sounds important. | |
And sometimes they don't come home for days. | |
Do we have a mortar and pestle? | |
I'm sorry to say that no pets are allowed in the house! | |
Sure! Why is it so important to you? | |
Sorry, is it possible to see it this Saturday after 2 o'clock? | |
Thanks father, where is Bear's lead? | |
For the risotto, I need some arborio rice. | |
Are you going to say sorry for saying I am stupid then? | |
No worries, it's free for you today. | |
I don't think you really want me to stay here anymore! | |
Yeah, it is very important for me, actually. | |
I took Bear out and I'm just about to leave. |