







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 | |
|---|---|
| But everybody calls him Rocco. | Pero todo el mundo lo llama Rocco. |
| It's like, the bus you are waiting for never comes. | Es como; cuando el autobús que esperas nunca llega. |
| Come on dear, I know you want me to! | Dale, querido, ¡sé que me quieres ahí! |
| I'm sorry, I'm not good at remembering names sometimes! | Lo siento, ¡a veces no soy bueno recordando nombres! |
| But maybe they are splitting up, I don't know yet. | Pero tal vez se están separando, aún no lo sé. |
| Sure, our kitchen is newly refurbished... | Claro, nuestra cocina está recién remodelada... |
| Really? I don't want to ruin your plan, but... | ¿En serio? No quiero arruinar tu plan, pero... |
| Then you can decide if I'm a good cook or not! | ¡Después puedes decidir si soy un buen cocinero o no! |
| I don't think you really want me to stay here anymore! | ¡Creo que en realidad no quieres que me quede aquí! |
| Hang on a minute, they are both 300 gr and the same brand. | Espera un minuto, ambos pesan 300 gr y son de la misma marca. |
| Sometimes he doesn't even recognize my mum. | A veces ni siquiera reconoce a mi madre. |
| How is it my fault? | ¿Cómo que es mi culpa? |
| When I have free time. | Cuando tengo tiempo libre. |
| I don't want to stay in this house anymore! | ¡No quiero quedarme más en esta casa! |
| You never pick Bear's poo up from the pavement. | Nunca recoges la caca de Bear del suelo. |
| Well, one of them is 2,800, but bills are not included... | Bueno, una de ellas está en 2,800, pero los servicios no están incluidos... |
| Yeah, that's a good idea! | Sí, ¡es una buena idea! |
| Maybe I know your friend. | Tal vez conozco a tu amigo. |
| I don't want you to spend a fortune. | No quiero que gastes una fortuna. |
| What do you think about him, Cate? | ¿Qué opinas sobre él, Cate? |