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 | |
---|---|
But he hisses occasionally, is it normal? | Aber er faucht manchmal. Ist das normal? |
What's your plan, Cate? | Was ist dein Plan, Cate? |
Yes, Bear eats one and a half cats everyday for breakfast. | Ja, Bear isst jeden Tag eineinhalb Katzen zum Frühstück. |
And secondly, vets are so expensive! | Und zweitens, Tierärzte sind so teuer! |
Sorry, I don't have much time, can I tell you the story when I'm back? | Sorry, ich habe nicht viel Zeit. Kann ich euch die Geschichte erzählen, wenn ich zurück bin? |
I can bring him with me when I come back for breakfast. | Ich kann ihn mitbringen, wenn ich wieder für's Frühstück herkomme. |
That's nice, the cupboards look good, the bench is okay... | Das ist schön. Die Schränke sehen gut aus. Die Bank ist okay... |
I'm so sorry about the inconvenience. | Tut mir Leid für die Unannehmlichkeit. |
I guess my only choice is coming to your house! | Ich schätze meine einzige Wahl ist zu dir in dein Haus zu kommen! |
What do you want me to do with them? | Was soll ich mit ihnen machen? |
I'd like to one day, when they invent teleportation. | Ich werde aber Australien besuchen, sobald Teleportation erfunden wird. |
Why? I never put a question mark when I search something! | Warum? Ich verwende nie ein Fragezeichen, wenn ich nach etwas suche! |
It's not for me, it's for the rice, dear! | Er ist nicht für mich, sondern für den Reis mein Lieber! |
Do you like them with or without the skin on? | Magst du sie mit oder ohne Haut? |
Okay, what temperature do you want me to set it at? | Okay, auf welche Temperatur soll ich ihn stellen? |
That's fine, I'm almost ready. | Kein Problem, ich bin fast fertig. |
Is it because of the cost, or another reason? | Wegen den Kosten oder gibt es einen anderen Grund? |
But I want to see Brighton Pier before the sun sets. | Aber ich will zur Seebrücke von Brighton, bevor die Sonne untergeht. |
What line is it on? | Auf welcher Linie liegt Camden? |
I think so, he can look around while Bear is not here. | Ich denke ja, damit er sich umschauen kann, solange Bear nicht hier ist. |