PRESENT SIMPLE

Simple present is also called present simple.

The simple present expresses an action in the present taking place once, never or several times. It is also used for actions that take place one after another and for actions that are set by a timetable or schedule. The simple present also expresses facts in the present.

All other verbs

Use:

• the infinite verb (play) with the personal pronouns I, you, we and they (or with the plural form of nouns)
• the verb + s (plays) with the personal pronouns he, she, it (or with the singular form of nouns)

	affirmative	negative	question
I/you/we/they	I play.	I do not play.	Do I play?
he/she/it	He plays.	He does not play.	Does he play?

Tips on how to form negative sentences and questions

Negative sentences and questions are formed with the auxiliary verb 'do'.

 Animation on negative sentences and questions

The 3rd person singular of 'do' is 'does'. This means that in negative sentences and questions the 's' of the main verb is placed behind 'do'.

Exercise on simple present with the auxiliary verb 'do'

Exercise on affirmative sentences

Exercise on negative sentences

Exercise on questions

Exercise on questions with interrogatives

go to Exeptions in Spelling ►

have

Use:

• have with the personal pronouns I, you, we und they (or with the plural form of nouns)
• has with the personal pronouns he, she, it (or with the singular form of nouns)

example: I have a dog. / I have got a dog.

'have got' is mainly used in British English. You can also use 'have' on its own (especially in American English). In this case, however, you must form negative sentences and questions with the auxiliary verb 'do' (see 'All other verbs').

	positiv	negativ	question
I/you/we/they	I have got. / I have.	I have not got. / I do not have.	Have I got? / Do I have?
he/she/it	He has got. / He has.	He has not got. / He does not have.	Has he got? / Does he have?

Exercise on simple present with 'have got'

Exercise on simple present with 'have' + 'do'

be

Use:

• am with the personal pronoun II
• is with the personal pronouns he, she or it (or with the singular form of nouns)
• are with the personal pronouns we, you or they (or with the plural form of nouns)

example: I am hungry.

	affirmative	negative	question
I	I am.	I am not.	Am I?
he/she/it	He is.	He is not.	Is he?
you/we/they	You are.	You are not.	Are you?

Exercise on simple present with 'be'