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 | |
---|---|
How long does the flight usually take? | ¿Cuánto tarda habitualmente el vuelo? |
That's right, we should never forget how irresponsible my housemates are. | Pues sí, no debemos olvidar lo irresponsables que son mis compañeros de piso. |
I'm sorry to say that no pets are allowed in the house! | ¡Lamento decirte que no se permiten mascotas en la casa! |
Oh Jesus Christ... I get it now! That's disgusting... | Oh Dios Mío... ¡Ya entendí! Qué asqueroso... |
Dear, who is it? | Querido, ¿quién es? |
Maybe they prefer electric stoves in shared houses for safety reasons. | Quizá prefieren las cocinas eléctricas en casas compartidas por razones de seguridad. |
Is it a single or a double room? | ¿Es una habitación individual o doble? |
Hang on, I remember you telling me you never kill animals! | Espera, ¡recuerdo que me dijiste que tú nunca matas animales! |
No, I'm a real estate agent. | No, yo soy agente de bienes raíces. |
Yes it is, how are you? | Sí soy yo, ¿cómo estás? |
I haven't seen her, either, and I don't really want to... | Tampoco la he visto, y en verdad no quiero hacerlo... |
Did I? I don't know... What is it? | ¿Lo hice? No lo sé... ¿Qué es? |
It's too fruity. | Es demasiado afrutado. |
That's true! How much is your rent? | ¡Es cierto! ¿Cuánto te cuesta el alquiler? |
Thanks, yeah, as I said, Camden is in zone-2... | Gracias, sí, como dije, Camden está en la zona-2... |
But it has expired and it has a hole in it. | Pero ha caducado y tiene un agujero. |
Um.. it could be blue, I don't really remember. | Um.. podría ser azul, la verdad es que no lo recuerdo. |
Hmm... Tomorrow is a bank holiday. | Hmm... Mañana es un feriado bancario. |
Yeah, our room has only got one window! | Sí, ¡nuestra habitación sólo tiene una ventana! |
No, because she is mental and can harm Pogo or Bear! | ¡No, porque está loca y puede hacerle daño a Pogo o a Bear! |