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 | |
---|---|
I guess my only choice is coming to your house! | |
But everybody calls him Rocco. | |
That's nice, I guess I like the house very much! | |
Until you just light your cigarette. | |
My meeting starts at one o'clock. | |
Where is Flora, isn't she here? | |
Taking Bear out usually takes me an hour. | |
Who is Mike, darling? | |
Oh Jesus Christ... I get it now! That's disgusting... | |
No, it doesn't look clean, do you want me to clean it? | |
All of my work is in that laptop and I don't have any backup! | |
Oh really? That's not good. | |
Yes, that's the one. | |
It doesn't matter, I think they are the same distance away. | |
It sounds important. | |
First of all, it's so sad to see them in pain. | |
I am 24. | |
Yes, it seems more logical in this case. | |
Of course! It's my favourite pub. | |
A flat is not a good idea for Bear, it doesn't have a garden. |