Present simple tense Exercises with answers, PDF worksheets and grammar rules.
Verb to be - present simple forms
I am a bit disappointed. - I'm a bit disappointed.
You are not seriously ill. - You aren't seriously ill.
Is he not at school? - Isn't he at school?
Full forms / short forms
The full forms (I am, you are, he is) are used in formal English, especially in written texts.
The short forms (I'm, you're, he's) are more common in spoken English. You should never use the short forms, however, in formal emails, letters, essays or reports.
Affirmative forms
I am (I'm) from Great Britain.
You are (You're) my best friend.
He/she/it is (He's) in the office.
We are (We're) ready to go.
You are (You're) our neighbours.
They are (They're) on their holiday.
The short form of 'is' can also be used with names, animals or things.
Jack's the tallest boy in our class.
My car's out of order.
Negative forms
I am not hungry. - I'm not hungry.
You are not in danger. - You aren't in danger. - You're not in danger.
He is not happy. - He isn't happy. - He's not happy.
We can make short negative forms of 'are not' and 'is not' in two ways: You aren't funny. You're not funny. The second example emphasizes the negative and is stressed in speech.
Am I ill?
Are you in Denver?
Is he talented?
Am I not ill?
Are you not in Denver? - Aren't you in Denver?
Is he not talented? - Isn't he talented?
Is she not overworked? Isn't she overworked?