PRESENT SIMPLE:
Form:
Affirmative:
The present simple in the affirmative is formed by using the infinitive, that is the verb
without any addition, for all but the third person singular (he, she, it), for which an s
(or in some cases es) is added.
Subject + verb (infinitive)
I
work/wash
You
work/wash
He/she/it
works/washes
We
work/wash
You
work/wash
They
work/wash
Negative:
To form a negation in the present simple a helping verb is needed. The helping verb
that is always used with simple tenses is do. Here again for the third person singular
an es is added and the helping verb is does. Note: when a helping verb is used the
verb is always in the infinitive, in other words do not add an s to the main verb if you
use a helping verb!
Subject + do/does + not + verb (infinitive)
I
do not work/don’t wash
You
do not work/don’t wash
He/she/it
does not work/doesn’t wash
We
do not work/don’t wash
You
do not work/don’t wash
They
do not work/don’t wash
Interrogative:
To form a question in the present simple, we put the helping verb do (and does for
third person singular) before the subject.
Do/Does + subject + verb (infinitive)?
Do
I
work?
Do
you
work?
Does
he/she/it
work?
Do
we
work?
Do
you
work?
Do
they
work?
Exceptions:
Unlike other verbs in English, the verb be actually has a conjugation. This is the way
it is conjugated in the present:
I
You
He/She/It
We
You
They
am
are
is
are
are
are
In questions and negations in the present simple with the verb be, we do not use the
helping verb do. For example:
• Usually, I am not late.
• Is she the CEO?
Use:
The present simple is used to talk about things in general, about habits, things we
regularly do, general statements, personal taste (likes and dislikes) etc. The present
simple is not really a present tense but rather an a-temporal tense that is used to talk
about things that refer to the past the present and the future at the same time. Having
such a broad use the present simple is a very common tense that is used a lot.
For example:
• John works for P&G. (The statement does not refer only to the present but
includes the past–the last few days or weeks or years and the future).
• I pay my bills on time (a habit, a general statement).
• Do you always come late for meetings? (Question about habits)
• I do not like to drink wine at business lunches. (Likes and dislikes).
Using the present simple to talk about the future:
The present simple can be used to talk about the future. It is formed by adding to the
present simple a future time reference; something that indicates that we talk about the
future. For example:
The train leaves at 16:00.
My flight leaves tomorrow afternoon.
The present simple is used to talk about the future in two cases:
1. When the information about the future event comes from an official source such as
timetables, agendas (note that an agenda is not a diary), programmes etc. For
example:
• The train leaves at 16:00. (The information comes from a timetable).
• Lunch is at 12:30. (The information comes from an agenda).
• The movie does not start until 19:00. (The information comes from a
programme).
2. With the words when, while, and before. In these cases we cannot use will. For
example:
• When you are in Brussels you must visit the modern art museum.
• Next week, while I am in Gent, I must remember to buy some chocolate.
• Come and see me before you leave.