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 | |
---|---|
Do you feel a bit better now? | |
I'm unleashing him now, is that okay for you? | |
You are very funny mate. | |
A flat is not a good idea for Bear, it doesn't have a garden. | |
Hello mate, where are you? | |
I'm really sorry to hear that, mate! | |
Bear's sitting here with me, his willy is out. | |
Sorry, they don't serve chips here... | |
Yeah, I guess normally you go to work around 06:30. | |
There is nothing much left to do, there are only bits and pieces. | |
Hello my friend, how are you? | |
As I'm a smoker, I prefer sitting outside. | |
How is it my fault? | |
What else could I do? Do you expect me not to sleep till I die? | |
Anyway, the flight situation is a bit complicated. | |
I am, I have to be there at 12:30. | |
This is the last one and, unfortunately, it has a hole in it. | |
How do you get to Brighton? | |
It seems there is no one in the house! | |
Yeah, do you mean tricycles? |