







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 | |
|---|---|
| Let me check, we only need butter. | Déjame comprobarlo, solo necesitamos mantequilla. |
| You are so realistic dear, where is your wedding ring? | Eres muy realista querida, ¿dónde está tu anillo de bodas? |
| No, but that's what I feel like having... | No, pero es lo que se me antoja... |
| Really? How do I wake you up? | ¿En serio? ¿Cómo te despierto? |
| Yeah, you are right, it's more useful when you have less things. | Sí, tienes razón, es más útil cuando tienes menos cosas. |
| Is it really on the menu? | ¿De verdad está eso en el menú? |
| Let me check... Yes, there are some plates. | Déjame mirar... Si, hay algunos platos. |
| That's a perfect time to see a house... | Esa es una hora perfecta para ir a ver una casa... |
| Isn't it faster taking the tube? | ¿No es más rápido tomando el metro? |
| Are you sure she is from Australia? | ¿Estás segura de que es de Australia? |
| Where is Flora, isn't she here? | ¿Dónde está Flora, no está aquí? |
| I live just opposite the pub. | Yo vivo justo enfrente del pub. |
| Umm... We are married... I mean, today is our wedding anniversary! | Umm... Estamos casados... Digo, ¡hoy es nuestro aniversario de bodas! |
| Yes, he definitely doesn't like changing places. | Sí, definitivamente no le gusta cambiar de lugar. |
| Then, I don't think we need to see the next one! | Entonces, ¡creo que no necesitamos ver la siguiente! |
| Why? I never put a question mark when I search something! | ¿Por qué? ¡Nunca escribo signos de interrogación cuando busco algo! |
| I agree, long flights aren't very pleasant. | Estoy de acuerdo, los vuelos largos no son muy agradables. |
| Well, I don't think we need to cook too many things at once. | Bueno, no creo que tengamos que cocinar demasiadas cosas a la vez. |
| Um, on this floor, it's only me and a French girl next door. | Um, en este piso solo yo y una chica francesa en la puerta de la lado. |
| But it has expired and it has a hole in it. | Pero ha caducado y tiene un agujero. |