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 | |
---|---|
Are you serious? | Ist das dein Ernst? |
You're right, but he is not only here to fix things... | Du hast Recht, aber er ist nicht nur hier um Dinge zu reparieren... |
Um, I don't feel like eating anything but fish today. | Öhm, ich hab heute nur Lust auf Fisch und nichts anderes. |
But maybe they are splitting up, I don't know yet. | Aber vielleicht trennen sie sich. Bisher weiß ich es aber nicht. |
I hope it's not the right address! It looks awful. | Ich hoffe das ist die falsche Adresse! Es sieht grauenvoll aus. |
Is one bunch enough for you? | Reicht dir ein Bündel? |
You know, I usually have some early morning lessons. | Weißt du, ich habe normalerweise Unterricht am frühen Morgen. |
Or worse, sometimes they throw a party at home! | Oder schlimmer noch, sie veranstalten eine Hausparty! |
Hmm.. yes, we get on really well. | Hmm... ja, wir verstehen uns wirklich gut. |
Hmm... actually, we have to boil it. | Hmm... wir müssen es eigentlich kochen. |
He is a Chow Chow. | Er ist ein Chow-Chow. |
It's half past 4, so we are here right on time. | Es ist 16:30 Uhr, also sind wir pünktlich. |
How is there four of us? | Inwiefern sind wir zu viert? |
Do we have a mortar and pestle? | Haben wir einen Mörser und einen Stößel? |
I want him to check the heaters in the rooms while he is here! | Ich möchte, dass er sich die Heizungen in den Zimmern ansieht, während er hier ist! |
As they say, time is the best medicine. | Wie man sagt, Zeit ist die beste Medizin. |
What's your plan, Cate? | Was ist dein Plan, Cate? |
No, actually, he is properly toilet trained. | Nein, er ist eigentlich stubenrein. |
That's why I never trust quiet people... | Deswegen vertraue ich ruhigen Menschen nie... |
I am half-British and half-Australian. | Ich bin halb Britin und halb Australierin. |