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 | |
---|---|
Is that what you want me to do? | C'est ce que tu veux que je fasse? |
My landlords are a gay couple. | Les propriétaires sont un couple gay. |
I guess you need to change your cooking plan now! | Je pense que tu as besoin de changer de plan de cuisson, maintenant! |
Are there any fries or any kind of snacks? | Y a-t-il des frites ou quelque chose à grignotter ? |
Right! Who wants chardonnay, then? | Bien ! Qui veut du Chardonney alors ? |
You look much younger than that. | Vous semblez plus jeune que cela. |
Do you want me to wash the wine bottle before I pour it? | Tu veux que je lave la bouteille de vin avant de t'en verser? |
What kind of music do you like the most? | Quel type de musique aimes-tu le plus ? |
Hope to see you later. | En espérant vous revoir. |
Hey Mike, you look so worried! | Salut Mike, tu sembles si inquiet ! |
To me, wasting it is weirder! | Pour moi, gaspiller c'est plus bizarre ! |
I need to wake him up now! | Je dois le réveiller maintenant! |
No, actually, he is properly toilet trained. | Non, à vrai dire, il est très propre. |
Do you really think it looks like we have a cleaner? | Est-ce qu'on a une tête à avoir un domestique? |
Maybe I get a bit moody on the first day of my period. | Peut être que je suis d'humeur changeante le premier jour de mes règles. |
I think 4000 quid is big enough. | Je crois que 4000 livres c'est déjà pas mal. |
They also have three big windows in their room! | Ils ont aussi trois grandes fenêtres dans leur chambre! |
Hello Mike, not much, how are you? | Salut Mike, pas vraiment, et toi? |
What kind of trick is that? | Quelle sorte de ruse est-ce ? |
Can you show me which clothes I need to put away, then? | Peux-tu me montrer quels habits je dois déplacer ? |