







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 | |
|---|---|
| The room is spacious and sunny and the bed looks comfortable! | 房间宽敞明亮,而且床看上去很舒服! |
| I have two more lessons, I finish at three thirty. | 我还有两节课,3点30结束。 |
| Well, one of them is 2,800, but bills are not included... | 嗯,其中一个是2800,但不包含各种费用... |
| I don't mind sitting outside as long as I'm not cold. | 我不介意坐在外面,只要不冷就行。 |
| He just moved from Brighton and lives around here. | 他刚从布莱顿搬过来,就住在附近。 |
| Yes, the guy with the beard is Mike. | 是的,留胡子的那个是迈克。 |
| I guess mine is older than yours! | 我想我的比你的还要老! |
| Is the first one washing the dishes or cleaning? | 最讨厌的是洗盘子或清洁吗? |
| Yes, sorry, everything seems filthy, but believe me, it's not my fault! | 好,对不起,所有的东西好像都是脏的,但是相信我,这不是我的错! |
| No, but I definitely don't want to live in that house anymore! | 不是,但是我肯定不想在住在哪个房子里了! |
| Erm, sorry, but I think you have the wrong Mike... | 额,抱歉,但是我想你认错迈克了... |
| I like the seafood restaurants there. | 我喜欢那里的海鲜餐厅。 |
| I want him to check the heaters in the rooms while he is here! | 我想让他检查下房间里的暖气设备当他在这儿的时候! |
| Sh*t! I can't believe it's already 10:30! | 糟糕!没想到已经10:30了! |
| How old are you? | 你多大年纪? |
| Look at the shelf, the price tag says £2.20 a kilo. | 看一下货架,价格标签显示每公斤£2.20。 |
| What's your plan, Cate? | 你有什么计划,凯特? |
| Are you going to say sorry for saying I am stupid then? | 那么你打算为刚才说我蠢道歉吗? |
| Do you like them with or without the skin on? | 你想要带皮的还是去皮吗? |
| A one year course? What kind of course is it? | 一年的课程?是什么课程? |