







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 | |
|---|---|
| And on the ground floor we have easy access to the garden. | |
| Maybe I get a bit moody on the first day of my period. | |
| But I don't know him well. | |
| Let me check, we only need butter. | |
| Yeah, it's quite a big country, more like a continent. | |
| My rent is monthly, I pay £600 per month. | |
| Mike, 250 degrees is the highest! | |
| I don't think she wants to talk or solve anything! | |
| Is that what you want to do? | |
| Yes, it might be, but I'm very busy with some projects these days. | |
| Yeah, I think this wardrobe is too small for two people. | |
| As far as I know, Chows are not good with other animals. | |
| Maybe I know your friend. | |
| That one is a single room, I want a double. | |
| Does anyone else need anything? | |
| Unfortunately, I don't have one! Where is yours? | |
| Yeah, you are right, it's more useful when you have less things. | |
| That's nice, I guess I like the house very much! | |
| I am alone till my friend comes. | |
| Erm, sorry, but I think you have the wrong Mike... | |