







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 | |
|---|---|
| Sorry to ask, but are you on your period or something? | Perdona por preguntar, pero, ¿tienes el periodo o algo? |
| Last night we were open till very late, and you know her excuse. | Anoche estuvimos abiertos hasta muy tarde, y ya conoces su excusa. |
| No, I won't... I don't want a house in Mayfair anymore! | No, no lo haré... ¡Ya no quiero una casa en Mayfair! |
| How do you get to Brighton? | ¿Cómo llegas a Brighton? |
| Anyway, my lesson is starting now, I have to go. | En fin, mi lección empieza ahora, tengo que irme. |
| Hmm.. yes, we get on really well. | Hmm... sí, nos llevamos muy bien. |
| Do you know the pub around the corner? | ¿Conoces el pub a la vuelta de la esquina? |
| You can ask whatever you want to know. | Puedes preguntar lo que quieras saber. |
| Whose cat?... Do you mean my cat? | ¿El gato de quién?... ¿Te refieres a mi gato? |
| And now we've got plenty of mushrooms left to use. | Y ahora tenemos muchos champiñones para usar. |
| Okay, I don't like cooking, but I like tasting food. | Vale, no me gusta cocinar, pero me gusta probar comida. |
| Do you have their number? | ¿Tienes su número? |
| Yeah, I think killing mosquitoes is fair. | Sí, creo que matar mosquitos es justo y necesario. |
| Anyway, do you live around here, too? | De todos modos, ¿Vives por aquí, también? |
| My meeting starts at one o'clock. | Mi reunión comienza a la una en punto. |
| Yeah, the packet is ripped, but it's not overdue. | Sí, el paquete está rasgado pero no está caducado. |
| How do you want me to chop the onions, big or small? | ¿Cómo quieres que pique las cebollas, grandes o pequeñas? |
| Here you go sir, this is your receipt and your £20 cashback. | Aquí tiene señor, este es su recibo y su devolución de £20. |
| Are you really asking me that question? | ¿De verdad me estás haciendo esa pregunta? |
| No, it's not mine, I think it belongs to the house. | No, no es mía, creo que pertenece a la casa. |