







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 | |
|---|---|
| He wouldn't run away, he just wants to check what's outside. | |
| There are plenty more, but I think gumtree.com is the best. | |
| He is fine. | |
| Oh look at this big boy, he gets bigger everytime I see him! | |
| I'm sorry, I'm not good at remembering names sometimes! | |
| Yes, I still don't do it. | |
| I hope it's not the right address! It looks awful. | |
| I can't call him at the moment because his phone is unreachable. | |
| But... I'm not good at lying... | |
| I'm sorry for not showing up at your opening. | |
| There is a little market near the school. | |
| You are right, it's probably worth more than one cigarette. | |
| Oh yeah, it's our girls' night out tonight. | |
| Yes, I can hear you, but I don't understand! | |
| But that's true, some Chows are a bit aggressive. | |
| Thanks for offering me that, dear. | |
| No, it doesn't look clean, do you want me to clean it? | |
| Isn't Morrison's closer? | |
| Is it really on the menu? | |
| Isn't it too early for dinner? | |