







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 | |
|---|---|
| It's a double room plus we get a cleaner once a week. | |
| Yes, Bear eats one and a half cats everyday for breakfast. | |
| So does that mean you don't want to stay with me? | |
| Hello, I'm sorry I'm a bit late. | |
| It's half past 4, so we are here right on time. | |
| No, no, nothing is wrong, no need to worry, we are all fine... | |
| Look, you can watch the sunset best from this point. | |
| You are very funny mate. | |
| I don't want to stay in this house anymore! | |
| It has 1 year to pass its expiry date. | |
| How do you get to Brighton? | |
| It seems Pogo wants to go into the garden. | |
| By the way, the deposit is £3,000 and non-negotiable... | |
| Whose cat?... Do you mean my cat? | |
| Do you feel a bit better now? | |
| It's the second one from the top. | |
| Is she here with you? | |
| You are lucky! | |
| Ah, I'm very sorry, but we're fully booked tonight! | |
| My sisters live nearby, they help her sometimes. | |