







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 | |
|---|---|
| It's difficult to find all the items manually on the self-checkout. | Es difícil encontrar todos los artículos manualmente en la caja de autoservicio. |
| What's wrong with him? | ¿Qué le sucede? |
| My rent is monthly, I pay £600 per month. | Mi alquiler es mensual, pago £600 al mes. |
| Oh sorry, unfortunately, that one is reserved. | Oh, lo siento, desafortunadamente, esa está reservada. |
| Okay, what temperature do you want me to set it at? | Vale, ¿a qué temperatura quieres que lo ponga? |
| Because we know them and have their mobile numbers? | ¿Porque los conocemos y tenemos sus números telefónicos? |
| I want to be sober and energetic for tomorrow. | Quiero estar sobrio y lleno de energía para mañana. |
| Hello, do you have a Tesco Clubcard sir? | Hola, ¿tiene tarjeta del Club Tesco? |
| It has 1 year to pass its expiry date. | Falta 1 año para su fecha de caducidad. |
| First of all, it's so sad to see them in pain. | En primer lugar, es tan triste ver a tu mascota adolorida. |
| Isn't it just a simple meeting cancellation? | ¿No es solo una simple cancelación de reunión? |
| But it has expired and it has a hole in it. | Pero ha caducado y tiene un agujero. |
| My favourite movie is Pulp Fiction. | Mi película favorita es Tiempos Violentos. |
| So does that mean you don't want to stay with me? | ¿Entonces eso significa que no quieres quedarte conmigo? |
| No, but I definitely don't want to live in that house anymore! | No, ¡pero definitivamente no quiero seguir viviendo en esa casa! |
| Here you go sir, this is your receipt and your £20 cashback. | Aquí tiene señor, este es su recibo y su devolución de £20. |
| Good thanks, I'm fine, too. | Bien gracias, estoy bien también. |
| 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! |
| Anyway, you only have 10 days left to leave that house. | En fin, solo tienes 10 días más para salirte de esa casa. |
| I want him to check the heaters in the rooms while he is here! | ¡Quiero que revise las calefacciones de las habitaciones mientras está aquí! |