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 | |
---|---|
Do you need to wake up early tomorrow or something? | ¿Necesitas despertarte temprano mañana o algo así? |
I'm calling him now then, do you want anything else? | Voy a llamarle ahora, entonces, ¿quieres algo más? |
Do you want me to put the chicken into the cooker first? | ¿Quieres que ponga el pollo en la olla primero? |
But we have to be quick, I don't have much time. | Pero tenemos que ser rápidos, no tengo mucho tiempo. |
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! |
Hi there, it's not Dick, it's Nick... Starts with N. | Hola, no soy Dick, sino Nick... Empieza con N. |
Do you like red or white onions? | ¿Te gustan las cebollas rojas o blancas? |
Yes, I have got two sisters. | Sí, tengo dos hermanas. |
I don't like violence in real life, I only like it in movies. | No me gusta la violencia en la vida real, sólo me gusta en las películas. |
Because I don't want to waste more time finding a new house... | Porque no quiero gastar más tiempo encontrando una nueva casa... |
It's hard to believe, but we have a pressure cooker in the house. | Es difícil de creer pero tenemos una olla a presión en casa. |
Thank you, see you there on Saturday at 13:00. | Gracias, ahí le veo el sábado a las 13:00. |
But for how many people? | ¿Pero para cuántas personas? |
I hope it’s not serious. | Yo espero que no sea grave. |
I'm really sorry about that! | ¡Lo siento mucho! |
Why is that rice so special? | ¿Por qué es tan especial ese arroz? |
Do we have a sieve? | ¿Tenemos un colador? |
Kisses to you, too, I'll call you when I get there! | Besos a ti también, ¡te llamo cuando esté allá! |
This is my boyfriend, Mike. | Este es mi novio, Mike. |
I think the price is very cheap. | Creo que el precio es muy barato. |