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 | |
---|---|
Sometimes he doesn't even recognize my mum. | Manchmal erkennt er nicht mal meine Mutter. |
But for how many people? | Aber für wie viele Personen? |
Eating leftovers during the week saves me some time. | Es spart mir Zeit das übrig gebliebene Essen, während der Woche, zu essen. |
No, they live in Australia. | Nein, sie leben in Australien. |
I don't like smoking in the kitchen. | Ich mag es nicht in der Küche zu rauchen. |
It's all your fault! I feel so embarrassed now... | Es ist alles deine Schuld! Ich schäme mich jetzt so sehr... |
See you Mike, hope to see you again. | Tschüss Mike, ich hoffe man sieht sich wieder. |
You know, I usually have some early morning lessons. | Weißt du, ich habe normalerweise Unterricht am frühen Morgen. |
I'm not really in the mood to join them. | Ich habe nicht wirklich Lust, mich ihnen anzuschließen. |
He only does it when he is extremely stressed! | Das passiert nur, wenn er extrem gestresst ist! |
Yeah, I'll have a beer, I guess you want wine, Cate? | Ja, ich möchte gerne ein Bier. Ich schätze du möchtest Wein Cate, oder? |
You were explaining why you are here at 07:30 in the morning. | Du warst am erklären weshalb du um 7:30 Uhr morgens hier bist. |
Hey, there is a stranger in the toilet, who is he? | Hey, in der Toilette ist ein Fremder. Wer ist das? |
Don't you think two forks are enough for us? | Meinst du zwei Gabeln reichen uns? |
No, but it's not good for him to take the stairs up and down everyday. | Nein, aber es ist nicht gut, wenn er jeden Tag die Treppen rauf und runter laufen muss. |
You don't know the story behind it. | Du kennst die Geschichte dahinter nicht. |
Hey Mike, you look so worried! | Hey Mike, du siehst so besorgt aus! |
Oh Jesus Christ... I get it now! That's disgusting... | Oh Gott... Jetzt habe ich es verstanden! Das ist ekelhaft... |
Kisses to you, too, I'll call you when I get there! | Ich schicke dir auch Küsse. Ich werde dich anrufen, wenn ich dort bin! |
Well, maybe we can get a 2 bedroom flat. What do you think? | Nun, vielleicht können wir in eine Zweizimmerwohnung ziehen. Was denkst du? |