







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 | |
|---|---|
| Oh god, it's the second thing I hate doing in the kitchen! | |
| It's very difficult for me to go there more than once a year. | |
| If you are going to ask for money, I don't have any, either. | |
| There's a whole 500g unopened packet. | |
| It's not much less... There is a slight difference! | |
| So it's definitely not a divorce situation. | |
| That one is a single room, I want a double. | |
| Then people come and complain to me! | |
| Normally, it's much more expensive than the other ones. | |
| That's okay, I don't mind. | |
| Good boy, Beary! See, he is just a little friend. | |
| Yes, sorry, everything seems filthy, but believe me, it's not my fault! | |
| Hmm... Tomorrow is a bank holiday. | |
| Umm, oh yes, I can see it now, the ad number is 9845... | |
| I can't imagine myself being on a plane for that long! | |
| I hope they are going to be here on time, too... I don't like waiting. | |
| You are right, is there anything you want me to buy on the way? | |
| That's a very interesting combination. | |
| How old are you? | |
| Yeah, I'll have a beer, I guess you want wine, Cate? | |