







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 | |
|---|---|
| I need some parsley, but it looks a bit limp. | Necesito un poco de perejil pero parece un poco mustio. |
| I haven't been there before, where is it? | Nunca he estado ahí, ¿dónde está? |
| Yes, that's okay, we are just about to leave. | Sí, está bien que ya estamos a punto de irnos. |
| No, it doesn't look clean, do you want me to clean it? | No, no parece limpio, ¿quieres que lo limpie yo? |
| Thanks for being thoughtful, dear. | Gracias por ser tan considerado, querido. |
| So 2017 minus 1841 equals... | Así que 2017 menos 1841 es igual a... |
| Why don't we pay 100 more each, and get a house in Mayfair? | ¿Por qué no pagamos 100 más cada uno, y conseguimos una casa en Mayfair? |
| Is it possible to move in tomorrow? | ¿Es posible que me mude mañana mismo? |
| Sure, my name is Cate and my number is 077... | Claro, mi nombre es Cate y mi número es 077... |
| No, it's not okay, I'm screwed now! | No, no va bien, ¡estoy fastidiado! |
| I hope you are aware it's your last 3 days to find a house... | Espero que estés consciente de que sólo te quedan 3 días para encontrar una casa... |
| Well, I hope he doesn't keep on pooping all around the house! | Bueno, ¡espero que no siga defecando por toda la casa! |
| That one is a single room, I want a double. | Ese es de una sola habitación, y yo quiero una opción que tenga dos. |
| It's not much less... There is a slight difference! | No es mucho menos... ¡Hay una ligera diferencia! |
| That's right, I think pressure cookers are quite dangerous, too! | Pues sí, ¡creo que las ollas a presión son bastante peligrosas también! |
| I think I did, too, but I've got a really bad headache! | Creo que también, ¡pero tengo un dolor de cabeza terrible! |
| I wish you all the best. | Te deseo lo mejor. |
| It's still £5 more than the bigger room! | ¡Eso sigue siendo £5 más que la habitación más grande! |
| I don't want to stay in this house anymore! | ¡No quiero quedarme más en esta casa! |
| There's a whole 500g unopened packet. | Hay un paquete entero sin abrir de 500g. |