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 | |
---|---|
Except mosquitoes because they ruin my sleep. | 除了蚊子,因为它们破坏我的好觉。 |
Umm... We are married... I mean, today is our wedding anniversary! | 嗯... 我们结婚了... 我的意思是,今天是我们的结婚纪念日! |
I guess you need to change your cooking plan now! | 我想你现在需要改变你的做饭计划了! |
Thanks for being thoughtful, dear. | 谢谢你考虑这么周全,亲爱的。 |
Maybe I know your friend. | 可能我会认识你的朋友。 |
Isn't it too early for dinner? | 这对晚餐来说是不是太早了? |
My cat is in the garden. | 我的猫猫在花园里。 |
Oh yeah, it's our girls' night out tonight. | 是的,今晚是我们的女生派对之夜。 |
I don't need to wake up very early. | 我不需要起得很早。 |
I don't think it's a suitable movie for kids, dear. | 我觉得它不适合小孩子看,亲爱的。 |
I don't want you to spend a fortune. | 我可不想花一大笔钱。 |
We call it a sixth sense! | 我们称之为第六感! |
Anyway, my lesson is starting now, I have to go. | 不管怎样,我的课马上要开始了,我得走了。 |
I wasn't expecting anything like this to happen, so I have no plan. | 我之前没想到会发生这样的事,所以我没有计划。 |
I'm really amazed by the structure of this station. | 我真的对这个车站的构造感到非常惊奇。 |
Do you remember me? | 你还记得我吗? |
Do you think electric stoves are better? | 你觉得电炉更好吗? |
I prefer red onions. | 我更喜欢红色洋葱。 |
Yeah, I'll have a beer, I guess you want wine, Cate? | 好的,我要一杯啤酒,我猜你想要红酒,凯特? |
Do you mean the guy with the beard? | 你说得是留胡子的那个人吗? |