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 really don't know, but I believe it's more than 100 years old. | Realmente no lo sé, pero creo que tiene más de 100 años. |
Let me check, we only need butter. | Déjame comprobarlo, solo necesitamos mantequilla. |
Girls, this is Diego. | Chicas, este es Diego. |
Who knows, I consider it as nothing more than a hobby. | Quién sabe, lo considero nada más que una afición. |
This is my boyfriend, Mike. | Este es mi novio, Mike. |
My meeting starts at one o'clock. | Mi reunión comienza a la una en punto. |
Umm, you can tell them it's our wedding anniversary. | Umm, les llamas y les dices que es nuestro aniversario de bodas. |
Sure, our kitchen is newly refurbished... | Claro, nuestra cocina está recién remodelada... |
I didn't say it's your fault, but it's your turn now... | No dije que era tu culpa, pero es tu turno ahora... |
He only does it when he is extremely stressed! | ¡Solo lo hace cuando está extremadamente estresado! |
What’s their name? | ¿Cómo se llama? |
You need to press the button down and turn it right. | Tienes que pulsar el botón y girarlo a la derecha. |
But it has expired and it has a hole in it. | Pero ha caducado y tiene un agujero. |
Well, one of them is 2,800, but bills are not included... | Bueno, una de ellas está en 2,800, pero los servicios no están incluidos... |
It's too fruity. | Es demasiado afrutado. |
This is the last one and, unfortunately, it has a hole in it. | Es el último y desafortunadamente tiene un agujero. |
Hello, do you have a Tesco Clubcard sir? | Hola, ¿tiene tarjeta del Club Tesco? |
I mostly cook meat, fish and chicken dishes. | Principalmente cocino platos de carne, pescado y pollo. |
Yeah, it's better not to fully fill the bath, it leaks downstairs. | Sí, es mejor no llenar la bañera hasta el tope, gotea hasta la planta baja. |
My landlords are a gay couple. | Mis caseros son una pareja gay. |