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 | |
---|---|
How much garlic do you want? | |
Umm, you can tell them it's our wedding anniversary. | |
Hang on, I remember you telling me you never kill animals! | |
It's Marvin Gaye, from the 60's, but this is the remix. | |
I am half-British and half-Australian. | |
Oh, sorry! You don't like cleaning things, I can do it. | |
Yes, that's the one. | |
I hope she is not a problematic one, then... | |
Hmm, I like pop, rock, funk. | |
Yes, it might be, but I'm very busy with some projects these days. | |
Can you please not forget to take some poo bags with you! | |
Nothing, 'cause I don't know what the woman looks like. | |
I like some Jamiroquai songs, but not all of them. | |
For the risotto, I need some arborio rice. | |
My favourite movie is Pulp Fiction. | |
I'm unleashing him now, is that okay for you? | |
What about that table? It looks better. | |
No, but it's not good for him to take the stairs up and down everyday. | |
Is she here with you? | |
Yes, I still don't do it. |