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 | |
---|---|
You are very funny mate. | 你非常有趣,伙计。 |
Nope, it gives me a headache! | 不行,那让我头疼! |
I have one sister and she is nineteen. | 我有一个妹妹,她19岁了。 |
Don't you think it's too far away from the tube station? | 你不觉得它离地铁站太远了吗? |
Erm, by the way, since we are on the subject... | 嗯,顺便说下,既然说到了这个事儿... |
Hi, is your cat okay? | 嗨,你的猫还好吧? |
You know, she is normally an extremely quiet and calm person. | 你知道,她通常是一个十分安静的人。 |
It's Marvin Gaye, from the 60's, but this is the remix. | 马文·盖伊, 六十年代的歌曲,但这是混音。 |
The place I am having the meeting is very close to Brighton Pier. | 我开会的地方距离布莱顿码头非常近。 |
Okay, I found it... but it looks filthy! | 好的,找到了...但它看起来很脏! |
That's a perfect time to see a house... | 对看房来说是个完美的时间... |
Okay, what temperature do you want me to set it at? | 好的,你想要我设成多少度? |
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。 |
It has 1 year to pass its expiry date. | 它还有1年才过有效期。 |
Because the other people complain about me smoking there. | 因为其他人抱怨过我在那里抽烟。 |
Okay, how long is it, do you know? | 好的,这有多长,你知道吗? |
Nope, oyster cards are only for transport in London. | 不行,牡蛎卡只能用于伦敦的交通。 |
We are back, where is Bear? | 我们回来了,大熊去哪里了? |
Oh sorry dear, my husband has some difficulties hearing... | 哦对不起,亲爱的,我丈夫听力方面有困难... |
Calm down dear, I don't think he realises what he says. | 冷静下,亲爱的,我认为他不知道他在说什么。 |