







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 | |
|---|---|
| Excuse me ma'am, here is an undamaged packet of rice for you. | |
| 50% of 135 is 67.50... And it comes to totally 202.50. | |
| Hey, Cate! Do you need anything? | |
| That's a good question! | |
| But their room is almost double the size of our room! | |
| That's right, we should never forget how irresponsible my housemates are. | |
| Okay, how long is it, do you know? | |
| Is there a garlic crusher, then? | |
| Pogo still hates coming to the vet, though! | |
| Yeah, our room has only got one window! | |
| Thank you, see you there on Saturday at 13:00. | |
| Exactly, I hate getting woken up in the middle of the night! | |
| Is it because it's too violent? | |
| Yeah, do you mean tricycles? | |
| I don't think you really want me to stay here anymore! | |
| You never pick Bear's poo up from the pavement. | |
| Yeah, it's a very popular restaurant. | |
| Do you remember me? | |
| Okay, if you say so, I trust you! | |
| Look, there is a shop assistant. | |