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 | |
---|---|
Yes, my number is 0773***0282. | |
Where is my f*cking tenner? | |
How old are you? | |
Is there a knife? | |
My rent is monthly, I pay £600 per month. | |
What do you expect English teachers to look like? | |
I wasn't expecting anything like this to happen, so I have no plan. | |
I mostly work till late at night, I never wake up at 7 in the morning. | |
But before we go, can you call them and ask if they are okay with pets? | |
Erm, we don't have any, but there is someone else's bread. | |
How much garlic do you want? | |
Oh god, it's the second thing I hate doing in the kitchen! | |
No, it's not mine, I think it belongs to the house. | |
So, I guess you are from Australia. | |
Hello guys, is it possible to make a little less noise? | |
I think we need to put some of your clothes away. | |
I think so, at least there is no aggression. | |
I don't think it's possible to find anymore variations. | |
That's why they're 50% off. | |
The meeting is not the actual problem! |