







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 | |
|---|---|
| It's more than enough, I need some garlic, also. | 绰绰有余,我还需要一些大蒜。 |
| Australia is very strict with its customs rules. | 澳大利亚的海关审查十分严格。 |
| Hi, I don't think it's broken. | 嗨,我认为他没有受伤。 |
| I am 24. | 我24岁。 |
| There is no table for you, then! | 那你就没有桌子喽! |
| Absolutely not, while you are working you smoke like a chimney. | 当然不可以,你在工作时抽烟就像一个烟囱。 |
| Do you want the tray in the middle? | 你想要将托盘放在中间吗? |
| I can't imagine myself being on a plane for that long! | 我无法想象自己在飞机上呆那么久! |
| What's your maximum monthly budget for the rent? | 你每个月的租金预算最多有多少? |
| I like girls' nights out. | 我喜欢女生的派对之夜。 |
| I see, I love cooking! | 明白,我爱烧菜! |
| Do you live around here? | 你是住在这附近吗? |
| Because I'm sure they don't serve bugs in London! | 因为我确定在伦敦他们没有虫子这道菜! |
| He just moved from Brighton and lives around here. | 他刚从布莱顿搬过来,就住在附近。 |
| 5 bedroom detached house on Lyme Street, £2,800, is that right? | 莱姆街5个独立卧室的房子,2800英镑,对吗? |
| I'm checking again, there are only two forks and a teaspoon! | 我再看一下,只有两个叉子和一个茶匙! |
| Okay, how long is it, do you know? | 好的,这有多长,你知道吗? |
| And secondly, vets are so expensive! | 其次,兽医的收费很贵! |
| Sorry, I don't have much time, can I tell you the story when I'm back? | 抱歉,我没多少时间了,我能回来再跟你们讲吗? |
| I don't like going to hospitals, either. | 我也不喜欢去医院。 |