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 | |
---|---|
Excuse me sir, here are your drinks and the menu. | Perdone señor, aquí están sus bebidas y el menú. |
Do we have to do that every time we need to open the door? | ¿Tenemos que hacer eso cada vez que abramos la puerta? |
I'm really sorry about that! | ¡Lo siento mucho! |
That's okay, I don't mind. | Está bien, no me importa. |
Good point, I'm sure they don't pay that much! | Buen punto, ¡estoy seguro de que ellos no pagan tanto! |
There is nothing under 3,000 in Angel! | ¡No hay nada por debajo de 3,000 en Angel! |
We don't have that system in Brighton yet. | No tenemos ese sistema en Brighton todavía. |
Anyway, what else do we have left to do now? | En fin, ¿qué más nos queda por hacer ahora? |
And this is my girlfriend, Cate. | Y esta es mi novia, Cate. |
What genre do you listen to? | ¿Qué género escuchas tú? |
Isn't it just a simple meeting cancellation? | ¿No es solo una simple cancelación de reunión? |
That's so sad, how old are your parents? | Es muy triste, ¿cuántos años tienen tus padres? |
Where is your school, is it in central London? | ¿Dónde está tu escuela, en el centro de Londres? |
Taking Bear out usually takes me an hour. | Sacar a pasear a Bear por lo general me lleva una hora. |
Do your parents live in London, too? | ¿Tus padres viven también en Londres? |
He wouldn't run away, he just wants to check what's outside. | No se va a escapar, solo quiere ver qué hay fuera. |
Here we go, I'm sure it means they pay much less. | Aquí vamos, estoy seguro que eso significa que pagan mucho menos. |
Yes it is, how are you? | Sí soy yo, ¿cómo estás? |
Hi, I don't think it's broken. | Hola, no creo que esté rota. |
Sorry, madam, Friday is one of our busiest nights! | Lo siento, señora, ¡los viernes son de nuestras noches más ocupadas! |