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 | |
---|---|
It won't change anything, but reminding me is stressing me out! | No cambiará nada, ¡pero que me lo recuerdes me está estresando! |
Diego, do you want me to get you anything to eat? | Diego, ¿quieres que te traiga algo de comer? |
I don't think it's a suitable movie for kids, dear. | No creo que esa sea una película apropiada para niños, querido. |
I mean, you don't live here with anyone from your family. | Quiero decir que no vives aquí con nadie de tu familia. |
It's individually, the small ones are 30p, big ones 50p. | Es individualmente, los pequeños valen 30p, los grandes 50p. |
Bacon and eggs with some olives is enough for me. | Bacon y huevos con unas aceitunas es suficiente para mí. |
So it comes to 2,800 a month! | ¡Así que serían 2,800 al mes! |
And sometimes they don't come home for days. | Y a veces no vienen a casa en días. |
I think so, at least there is no aggression. | Eso creo, al menos no hay agresividad. |
They're there, under the duvet. | Están ahí, debajo del edredón. |
I have no idea what arborio rice is! | ¡No tengo ni idea de lo que es el arroz arborio! |
How much rice do you need? | ¿Cuánto arroz necesitas? |
I'm sorry to say that no pets are allowed in the house! | ¡Lamento decirte que no se permiten mascotas en la casa! |
I've experienced how difficult and expensive it can be. | Ya he experimentado lo difícil y costoso que puede ser. |
All of my work is in that laptop and I don't have any backup! | ¡Todo mi trabajo está en esa portátil y no tengo ningún respaldo! |
My laptop is in it. | Mi portátil está en ella. |
I know, I thought you might like to have it with her alone. | Lo sé, pensé que querrías tomarlo con ella a solas. |
Is there anything else you want me to do? | ¿Hay algo más que quieres que haga? |
No, it's the owner, she is an old lady and very strict about that. | No, es por la propietaria, ella es una señora anciana y es bastante estricta sobre eso. |
It only takes 15 or 20 minutes. | Sólo se tarda 15 o 20 minutos. |