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 | |
---|---|
No, I haven't, I don't know what's yours in the fridge. | No, non so cosa c’è di tuo nel frigo. |
How old are you? | Quanti anni hai tu? |
I guess my only choice is coming to your house! | Suppongo che la mia unica scelta sia venire a casa tua! |
Did you check carefully, don't we have any at all? | Hai guardato con attenzione, non abbiamo davvero nulla? |
I've finally completed it and tomorrow is the big day! | L'ho finalmente completato e domani è il grande giorno! |
He hasn't realised that we are at a vet yet. | Non si è ancora reso conto che siamo dal veterinario. |
I don't think we need to pay for it. | Non penso che dovremo pagarlo. |
Bear's sitting here with me, his willy is out. | Bear è seduto qui con me, con il pistolino all’aria. |
They don't usually work after ten o'clock. | Di solito non lavorano dopo le 10. |
I have two more lessons, I finish at three thirty. | Ho ancora due lezioni, finisco alle tre e trenta. |
Well, it's about a kid, I mean a robot. | Beh, parla di un ragazzino, voglio dire un robot. |
Her name is Ayumi! | Si chiama Ayumi! |
Hmm... actually, we have to boil it. | Hmm… In realtà dobbiamo farlo bollire. |
Yes, that's the one. | Sì, proprio quello. |
So do you want me to find a house by myself? | Quindi vuoi che mi trovi una casa da sola? |
But sometimes I feel guilty not being there! | Ma a volte mi sento in colpa a non essere là! |
I wake up and make my bed, then tidy my room. | Mi sveglio e faccio il letto e poi riordino la stanza. |
Well, not really! I don't like cooking much. | Beh, non proprio! Non mi piace molto cucinare. |
My beard makes me look older, I think. | La barba mi fa sembrare più vecchio, credo. |
That's a good choice, they do great calamari here, too. | È un’ottima scelta, fanno anche degli ottimi calamari qui. |