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 | |
---|---|
Do you remember the pub's name? | |
Do you mean Rebecca and Cecilia? | |
Do you have a cigarette? | |
Hey, Cate! Do you need anything? | |
Is one bunch enough for you? | |
Let me check, we only need butter. | |
Sorry, madam, Friday is one of our busiest nights! | |
Actually, it's quite urgent for me. | |
Is it Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus? | |
I am alone till my friend comes. | |
His name's Sergio. | |
Yeah, that's a good idea. | |
Depends on where you look. | |
I think I did, too, but I've got a really bad headache! | |
How is your mum, does she have any health problems? | |
So 2017 minus 1841 equals... | |
The cat is not actually mine, it's my girlfriend's cat. | |
But it has expired and it has a hole in it. | |
I mean, do you cook Asian or other kinds of cuisines? | |
Hey, the water is boiling, do you want me to pour it into a pot? |