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 | |
---|---|
No, I won't... I don't want a house in Mayfair anymore! | No, no lo haré... ¡Ya no quiero una casa en Mayfair! |
Yeah, but the room is square and there are only four main objects in it. | Sí, pero la habitación es cuadrada y solo hay cuatro objetos principales en ella. |
There are some vending machines in the station. | Hay algunas máquinas de venta en la estación. |
Mike, it is a continent! | ¡Mike, es un continente! |
But Tesco is bigger, it has more variety of products. | Pero Tesco es más grande, tiene más variedad de productos. |
Yes, I like them, too. | Sí, me también me gustan. |
I hope he gets well soon. | Espero que mejore pronto. |
Hey, Cate! Do you need anything? | ¡Hey, Cate! ¿Necesitas algo? |
Well, that's another problem! | Bueno, ¡ese es otro problema! |
I don't think it's hay fever! I believe it's from the cat... | ¡No creo que sea por el polen! Creo que es por el gato... |
How often do you have free time, then? | ¿Qué tan seguido tienes tiempo libre, entonces? |
How do you want me to chop the onions, big or small? | ¿Cómo quieres que pique las cebollas, grandes o pequeñas? |
It's almost 09:30. | Casi las 09:30. |
Are you close friends? | ¿Son amigos cercanos? |
Excuse me sir, here are your drinks and the menu. | Perdone señor, aquí están sus bebidas y el menú. |
It's not a big deal but it's quite an important thing to mention. | No me preocupa pero es algo importante de mencionar. |
Hey, there is a stranger in the toilet, who is he? | Hey, hay un extraño en el inodoro, ¿quién es él? |
Can you please not forget to take some poo bags with you! | Por favor, ¡puedes no olvidarte de llevar contigo algunas bolsas para la caca! |
Hello, my name is Mike, I'm Cate's boyfriend... | Hola, mi nombre es Mike, soy el novio de Cate... |
It's the second one from the top. | Es el segundo desde arriba. |