







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 | |
|---|---|
| Hello there, are you Cate? | Hola ahí, ¿eres tú, Cate? |
| Did you say Russia? That's unusual! | ¿Has dicho Rusia? ¡Eso es poco habitual! |
| That's why the rent is much lower than average. | Por eso la renta es mucho más baja que el promedio. |
| Well, it's about a kid, I mean a robot. | Bueno, es sobre un niño, más bien un robot. |
| Yeah, it's better not to fully fill the bath, it leaks downstairs. | Sí, es mejor no llenar la bañera hasta el tope, gotea hasta la planta baja. |
| Oh hello... I forgot to mention, it's also a very special occasion... | Oh hola... olvidé mencionar, que es también una ocasión muy especial... |
| But everybody calls him Rocco. | Pero todo el mundo lo llama Rocco. |
| This is the last one and, unfortunately, it has a hole in it. | Es el último y desafortunadamente tiene un agujero. |
| Is it really on the menu? | ¿De verdad está eso en el menú? |
| That's right, we should never forget how irresponsible my housemates are. | Pues sí, no debemos olvidar lo irresponsables que son mis compañeros de piso. |
| That's a good choice, they do great calamari here, too. | Es una buena elección, hacen unos calamares geniales también aquí. |
| Sometimes he doesn't even recognize my mum. | A veces ni siquiera reconoce a mi madre. |
| Erm.. Isn't it there? | Erm.. ¿No está allí? |
| Look, there is a shop assistant. | Mira, ahí hay un dependiente. |
| Erm... They pay 170 weekly. | Erm... Ellos pagan 170 semanales. |
| Yes sir, you can have a seat at this table. | Sí señor, pueden sentarse en esta mesa. |
| But sometimes I feel guilty not being there! | ¡Pero a veces me siento culpable por no estar allí! |
| I know, I thought you might like to have it with her alone. | Lo sé, pensé que querrías tomarlo con ella a solas. |
| Do you want me to wash the wine bottle before I pour it? | ¿Quieres que lave la botella de vino antes de echarlo? |
| As they say, time is the best medicine. | Como dicen, el tiempo es la mejor medicina. |