







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 | |
|---|---|
| Ta-ta here it is... | Ta-ta aquí está... |
| Here you go sir, this is your receipt and your £20 cashback. | Aquí tiene señor, este es su recibo y su devolución de £20. |
| That's why they're 50% off. | Por eso tiene un 50% de descuento. |
| I can't imagine myself being on a plane for that long! | ¡No puedo imaginarme estando en un avión durante tanto tiempo! |
| He wouldn't run away, he just wants to check what's outside. | No se va a escapar, solo quiere ver qué hay fuera. |
| This is the last one and, unfortunately, it has a hole in it. | Es el último y desafortunadamente tiene un agujero. |
| I think I've got a better idea about what to do with the bed! | ¡Creo que tengo una mejor idea de qué hacer con la cama! |
| Erm, we don't have any, but there is someone else's bread. | Eh, no tenemos nada, pero otra persona tiene pan. |
| I'm happy to hear that. | Me alegra oir eso. |
| Hi girls, this is Mike. | Hola chicas, este es Mike. |
| What kind of music do you like the most? | ¿Qué tipo de música te gusta más? |
| Sorry, I don't have much time, can I tell you the story when I'm back? | Disculpen, no tengo mucho tiempo, ¿puedo contarles la historia cuando regrese? |
| I usually take the train. | Normalmente tomo el tren. |
| Isn't it faster taking the tube? | ¿No es más rápido tomando el metro? |
| Well, not really! I don't like cooking much. | Bueno, ¡la verdad es que no! No me gusta mucho cocinar. |
| Of course, she is an angel, do you want to talk to your mum? | Por supuesto, ella es un ángel, ¿quieres hablar con tu mamá? |
| 5 bedroom detached house on Lyme Street, £2,800, is that right? | Casa independiente de 5 habitaciones en calle Lyme, £2800, ¿es correcto? |
| When I have free time. | Cuando tengo tiempo libre. |
| We are back, where is Bear? | Hemos vuelto, ¿dónde está Bear? |
| Are you sure she is from Australia? | ¿Estás segura de que es de Australia? |