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 | |
---|---|
You are lucky! | ¡Tienes suerte! |
I usually take the train. | Normalmente tomo el tren. |
Yeah, and the market is good, is Camden Lock in zone-2 or 3? | Sí, y el mercado es bueno, ¿Camden Lock está en la zona-2 o en la 3? |
Is it big money? | ¿Es mucho dinero? |
I want to try the sauvignon blanc. | Quiero probar el Sauvignon Blanc. |
Bear hates being at a vet, too. | Bear odia estar en un veterinario también. |
I don't mind sitting outside as long as I'm not cold. | No me importa sentarme fuera mientras no tenga frío. |
I guess my only choice is coming to your house! | ¡Creo que mi única opción ahora es quedarme en tu casa! |
Toby! This is Cate, she is my... friend, from London. | ¡Toby! Esta es Cate, ella es mi... amiga, de Londres. |
What genre do you listen to? | ¿Qué género escuchas tú? |
Okay, so what's our plan now? | Vale, ¿cuál es nuestro plan ahora? |
Is the first one washing the dishes or cleaning? | ¿La primera es lavar los platos o limpiar? |
Hope to see you later. | Espero verte más tarde. |
No, I'm not lying! I never lie. | ¡No estoy mintiendo! Yo nunca miento. |
He is a Chow Chow. | Es un Chow Chow. |
You don’t look like an English teacher to me. | No te ves como un profesor de Inglés, en mi opinión. |
It's very difficult to talk to you on the phone right now. | Es muy difícil hablar contigo por teléfono ahora mismo. |
How many people live in this house? | ¿Cuántas personas viven en esta casa? |
Thanks Rocco, that's all for now. | Gracias Rocco, eso es todo por ahora. |
Or worse, sometimes they throw a party at home! | O peor, ¡a veces celebran una fiesta en casa! |