







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 | |
|---|---|
| Look, you can watch the sunset best from this point. | Mira, puedes ver el atardecer mejor desde este punto. |
| Yes, it might be, but I'm very busy with some projects these days. | Sí, podría ser, pero estoy muy ocupado con algunos proyectos estos días. |
| Is it possible to move in tomorrow? | ¿Es posible que me mude mañana mismo? |
| Is one bunch enough for you? | ¿Un puñado es suficiente para ti? |
| It only takes 15 or 20 minutes. | Sólo se tarda 15 o 20 minutos. |
| Who knows, I consider it as nothing more than a hobby. | Quién sabe, lo considero nada más que una afición. |
| But everybody calls him Rocco. | Pero todo el mundo lo llama Rocco. |
| To me, wasting it is weirder! | Para mí, ¡el desperdicio es más raro! |
| No, I'm not lying! I never lie. | ¡No estoy mintiendo! Yo nunca miento. |
| Do your parents live in London, too? | ¿Tus padres viven también en Londres? |
| Maybe they prefer electric stoves in shared houses for safety reasons. | Quizá prefieren las cocinas eléctricas en casas compartidas por razones de seguridad. |
| There is also some cheese, but it's a bit mouldy. | También hay algo de queso pero está un poco mohoso. |
| Congratulations, I wish you luck. | Felicidades, te deseo suerte. |
| I've finally completed it and tomorrow is the big day! | Por fin he terminado, ¡Y mañana es el gran día! |
| I live just opposite the pub. | Yo vivo justo enfrente del pub. |
| Is that okay for you? | ¿Te parece bien? |
| Okay, I don't like cooking, but I like tasting food. | Vale, no me gusta cocinar, pero me gusta probar comida. |
| Of course, 2 tomatoes are enough, I think. | Por supuesto, creo que 2 tomates son suficientes. |
| I'm sorry for not showing up at your opening. | Perdona por no acudir a tu inauguración. |
| No, but that's what I feel like having... | No, pero es lo que se me antoja... |