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 | |
---|---|
Well this is how it is... do you want to see upstairs? | 嗯,它就是这样... 你们到楼上看下吗? |
Do you like them with or without the skin on? | 你想要带皮的还是去皮吗? |
You look much younger than that. | 你看起来年轻得多。 |
Yeah, I wonder if we share the same taste in movies! | 是的,我想知道我们的电影品味是否一致! |
They also have three big windows in their room! | 他们的房间还有3个大窗户! |
Hmm... Tomorrow is a bank holiday. | 嗯...明天是银行假日。 |
But... I'm not good at lying... | 但是... 我不擅长撒谎... |
I don't think you really want me to stay here anymore! | 我觉得你也不想让我再在这里住了! |
You don’t look like an English teacher to me. | 在我看来,你不像是一位英语老师。 |
He just moved from Brighton and lives around here. | 他刚从布莱顿搬过来,就住在附近。 |
Erm... You look about 30? | 呃...你看起来大概有30岁? |
Do you have any area in mind? | 你还有什么想法吗? |
360 degrees should be good. | 360度应该就可以了。 |
Where is Flora, isn't she here? | 佛洛拉去哪了,她不在这里吗? |
Okay, the grated one's 20% off today. | 好的,磨碎的那种今天降价20%。 |
Exactly, I hate getting woken up in the middle of the night! | 的确是,我讨厌在夜里被叫醒! |
No, this one is the shop's own brand, that's why it's not expensive. | 不,这种是店主自己的品牌,所以并不贵。 |
Erm, we don't have any, but there is someone else's bread. | 呃,我们没有了,但这里有别人的面包。 |
As a result, he starts pooping and peeing all over the house. | 结果,它开始在家里随处大小便。 |
I'm okay, how are you? | 我很好,你呢? |