







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 | |
|---|---|
| Mike, teriyaki is Japanese, we are at a Chinese restaurant. | Mike, el teriyaki es japonés, nosotros estamos en un restaurante chino. |
| I guess my only choice is coming to your house! | ¡Creo que mi única opción ahora es quedarme en tu casa! |
| Is there anything else I can do for you, love? | ¿Hay algo más que pueda hacer por ti, amor? |
| Hello mate, where are you? | Hola amigo, ¿dónde estás? |
| I hope it's not related to me! | ¡Espero que no tenga que ver conmigo! |
| It's all about my lovely little cat, Pogo. | Es sobre mi pobre y adorable gato, Pogo. |
| I hate taking long flights! | ¡Odio tomar vuelos largos! |
| That's nice... I hope she is not a teenager! How old is she? | Bien... ¡Espero que no sea una adolescente! ¿Cuántos años tiene? |
| I don't think you really want me to stay here anymore! | ¡Creo que en realidad no quieres que me quede aquí! |
| That's right, I think pressure cookers are quite dangerous, too! | Pues sí, ¡creo que las ollas a presión son bastante peligrosas también! |
| There is no table for you, then! | ¡No hay mesa para ti, entonces! |
| What's the date today? | ¿Cuál es la fecha de hoy? |
| If you are going to ask for money, I don't have any, either. | Si me vas a pedir dinero, no tengo tampoco. |
| I don't know, maximum 33? | No sé, ¿máximo 33? |
| Do you remember the pub's name? | ¿Recuerdas el nombre del bar? |
| Do you expect me to make the room bigger by pushing the walls out? | ¿Esperas que empuje las paredes y haga la habitación más grande? |
| Okay, maybe it's better for you to have some rest. | De acuerdo, tal vez es mejor que te vayas a descansar. |
| Hello, I'm very sorry dear, I'm a bit late. | Hola, lo siento mucho querido, estoy un poco atrasada. |
| But it has expired and it has a hole in it. | Pero ha caducado y tiene un agujero. |
| You were explaining why you are here at 07:30 in the morning. | Estabas explicando por qué estás aquí a las 7:30 de la mañana. |