Present Simple (Presente simple)
Ver tabla de conjugacion: Present Simple
Grammatical Rules (Reglas gramaticales)
Form (Forma)
Para conjugar el presente simple usamos el inifinitivo para los sujetos "I", "you", "we" y "they" y
para las terceras personas "he", "she" y "it", añadimos un "-s" al final del verbo.
Nota: Ten en cuenta que los verbos que terminen en "-o" añadimos "-es".
Sujeto Conjugación
I, You, We, They talk, eat, learn, do, go...
He, She, It talks, eats, learns, does, goes...
Structure (Estructura)
1. Affirmative Sentences (Frases afirmativas)
o Ejemplos:
o Play
I talk. (Yo hablo.)
o Play
He eats. (Él come.)
o Play
They learn. (Ellos aprenden.)
EstructuraSujeto + verbo principal.
2. Negative Sentences (Frases negativas)
EstructuraSujeto + verbo auxiliar ("to do") + auxiliar negativo ("not") + verbo
principal.
o Ejemplos:
o Play
I do not [don't] talk. (Yo no hablo.)
o Play
He does not [doesn't] eat. (Él no come.)
o Play
They do not [don't] learn. (Ellos no aprenden.)
Nota: En frases negativas, el verbo auxiliar ("to do") cambia y el verbo principal es en el
infinitivo.
3. Interrogative Sentences (Frases interagotivas)
o Ejemplos:
o Play
Do you talk? (¿Hablas tú?)
o Play
Does he eat? (¿Come él?)
o Play
Do they learn? (¿Aprenden ellos?)
EstructuraVerbo auxiliar ("to do") + sujeto + verbo principal?
Nota: Como en frases negativas, en frases interrogativas el verbo auxiliar ("to do") cambia y el
verbo principal es en el infinitivo.
Más información sobre la estructura de frases
Uses (Usos)
1. El presente simple se utiliza para hablar de cosas que suceden habitualmente. A
diferencia a español, no se usa el presente simple para hablar sobre algo que está pasando en el
momento en el que hablamos.
o Ejemplos:
o Play
I always talk to my mother on Sunday. (Siempre hablo con mi madre el domingo.)
o Play
He never eats vegetables. (Nunca come las verduras.)
o They learn something new in [Link] usually learn something new in class. (Normalmente
aprenden algo nuevo en la clase.)
Se suele utilizar el presente simple con adverbios de tiempo:
Always (siempre), everyday (cada día), usually (normalmente), often (a menudo),sometimes (a
veces), rarely (raramente), hardly ever (casi nunca), never (nunca)...
Excepción:
Los adverbios de tiempo van delante del verbo, excepto el verbo "to be" (ser/estar). Cuando se
usa "to be" el verbo va delante del adverbio.
o Ejemplos:
o Play
I am always happy. (Siempre estoy contento.)
o Play
He is often sick. (A menudo él está enfermo.)
o Play
They are rarely late. (En raras ocasiones llegan tarde.)
2. Se utiliza para hablar de generalidades o hechos científicos.
o Ejemplos:
o Play
He does not [doesn't] eat vegetables. (Él no come verduras.)
o Play
She works in a hospital. (Ella trabaja en una hospital.)
o Play
Elephants live in Africa. (Los elefantes viven en África.)
o Play
Bogata is in Columbia. (Bogotà está en Colombia.)
o Play
Do children like animals? (¿Les gustan a los niños los animales?)
o Play
Adults do not [don't] know everything. (Los adultos no lo saben todo.)
3. Se usa para eventos programados en el futuro próximo.
o Ejemplos:
o Play
The train leaves at 10:00. (El tren sale a las 10h.)
o Play
The party is tonight. (La fiesta es esta noche.)
o Play
Does the festival start tomorrow? (¿Empieza el festival mañana?)
o Play
The plane does not [doesn't] arrive today. (El avión no llega hoy.)
4. Se usa para instruciones (el imperativo).
o Ejemplos:
o Play
Open the window. (Abre la ventana.)
o Play
Eat the vegetables. (Come las verduras.)
o Play
Don't cry. (No llores.)
o Play
Do your homework. (Haz los deberes.)
o Play
Call your mother. (Llama a tu madre.)
Presente simple 2
Presente Simple - (Simple Present Tense)
El Presente Simple es un tiempo verbal que se utiliza para describir
acciones habituales que suceden con cierta frecuencia y no hace
referencia a si está ocurriendo en el momento actual.
I play tennis. Yo juego al tenis.
(Hace mención de un deporte que realizo cotidianamente y que no
necesariamente lo estoy jugando en este momento).
He works in an office. Él trabaja en una oficina.
(Se refiere al trabajo que desarrolla una persona frecuentemente).
They travel to Madrid. Ellos viajan a Madrid.
(Habla de un viaje que se repite a diario, aunque el sujeto no lo esté
realizando ahora).
A continuación se muestran las
formas afirmativa, interrogativa ynegativa de este tiempo verbal:
En el cuadro superior
se ha tomado como ejemplo el verbo PLAY (jugar). Observe que en el
modo afirmativo, en la 3º persona del singular, se le añade una "S" al
verbo.
He eats vegetables. Él come vegetales.
Alice dances at the theatre. Alice baila en el teatro.
The dog breaks the fence. El perro rompe la cerca.
En el modo interrogativo y negativo se utiliza el auxiliar DO, aunque en la
3º persona del singular se coloca como auxiliar DOES y se le quita la "S"
al verbo.
Existen algunos casos particulares como por ejemplo, si el verbo
empleado termina en "SS", "SH", "CH", "O" y "X" al formar la 3º persona
del singular en la forma afirmativa se le agrega "ES". Aquí vemos algunos
ejemplos:
Si el verbo es FISH (pescar), se conjugará: He fishes at the sea. Él pesca
en el mar.
Si el verbo es KISS (besar), se conjugará: She kisses to her boyfriend. Ella
besa a su novio.
Si el verbo es WATCH (observar), se conjugará: He watches the mountain.
Él observa la montaña.
Si el verbo es FIX (arreglar), se conjugará: He fixes his car. Él arregla su
coche.
Si el verbo es GO (ir), se conjugará: She goes to the office. Ella va a la
oficina.
Otra excepción se presenta si el verbo termina en "Y" tras consonante.
Para formar la 3º persona del singular se sustituye esta "Y" por una "i"
acompañada de la terminación "ES". Por ejemplo:
Si el verbo es STUDY (estudiar) se conjugará: She studies the lesson. Ella
estudia la lección.
Para la forma negativa se puede emplear la forma contraída de DON'T en
lugar de DO NOT o DOESN'T en vez de DOES NOT.
I don't play tennis. Yo no juego al tenis.
He doesn't work in an office. Él no trabaja en una oficina.
They don't travel to Madrid. Ellos no viajan a Madrid.
Present Continuous
FORM
[am/is/are + present participle]
Examples:
You are watching TV.
Are you watching TV?
You are not watching TV.
Complete List of Present Continuous Forms
USE 1 Now
Use the Present Continuous with Normal Verbs to express the idea that something
is happening now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show that something
is not happening now.
Examples:
You are learning English now.
You are not swimming now.
Are you sleeping?
I am sitting.
I am not standing.
Is he sitting or standing?
They are reading their books.
They are not watching television.
What are you doing?
Why aren't you doing your homework?
USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now
In English, "now" can mean: this second, today, this month, this year, this century,
and so on. Sometimes, we use the Present Continuous to say that we are in the
process of doing a longer action which is in progress; however, we might not be
doing it at this exact second.
Examples: (All of these sentences can be said while eating dinner in a restaurant.)
I am studying to become a doctor.
I am not studying to become a dentist.
I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
I am not reading any books right now.
Are you working on any special projects at work?
Aren't you teaching at the university now?
USE 3 Near Future
Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something will or
will not happen in the near future.
Examples:
I am meeting some friends after work.
I am not going to the party tonight.
Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
Isn't he coming with us tonight?
USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"
The Present Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the
idea that something irritating or shocking often happens. Notice that the meaning is
like Simple Present, but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words
"always" or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."
Examples:
She is always coming to class late.
He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.
I don't like them because they are always complaining.
REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs
It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any
continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbscannot
be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Present Continuous with these
verbs, you must use Simple Present.
Examples:
She is loving this chocolate ice cream. Not Correct
She loves this chocolate ice cream. Correct
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always,
only, never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
You are still watching TV.
Are you still watching TV?
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
Right now, Tom is writing the letter. ACTIVE
Right now, the letter is being written by Tom. PASSIVE
Present Continuous (Presente continuo)
Ver tabla de conjugacion: Present Continuous
Grammatical Rules (Reglas gramaticales)
Form (Forma)
Para formar el presente continuo se utiliza el verbo auxiliar "to be" y el gerundio (infinitivo + "-
ing") del verbo.
Sujeto Auxiliar (to be) Gerundio
talking, eating,
I am learning, doing,
going...
talking, eating,
He, She, It is learning, doing,
going...
talking, eating,
You, We, They are learning, doing,
going...
Structure (Estructura)
1. Affirmative Sentences (Frases afirmativas)
o Ejemplos:
o Play
I'm talking. (Estoy hablando.)
o Play
He's eating. (Está comiendo.)
o Play
They're learning. (Están aprendiendo.)
EstructuraSujeto + verbo auxiliar ("to be") + gerundio.
2. Negative Sentences (Frases negativas)
o Ejemplos:
o Play
I'm not talking. (No estoy hablando.)
o Play
He's not [He isn't] eating. (No está comiendo.)
o
EstructuraSujeto + verbo auxiliar ("to be") + auxiliar negativo ("not") + gerundio.
3. Interrogative Sentences (Frases interrogativas)
o Ejemplos:
o Play
Are you talking? (¿Estás hablando?)
o Play
Is he eating? (¿Está comiendo?)
o Play
Are they learning? (¿Están aprendiendo?)
Verbo auxiliar ("to be") + sujeto + gerundio?
Uses (Usos)
1. El presente continuo se utiliza para hablar sobre algo que está pasando en el
momento en el que hablamos.
o Ejemplos:
o Play
I'm studying now. (Estoy estudiando ahora.)
o Play
He's eating at the moment. (Está comiendo en este momento.)
o Play
Is it raining? (¿Está lloviendo?)
2. También lo usamos para hablar de algo que está sucediendo en la actualidad pero no
necesariamente cuando hablamos.
o Ejemplos:
o Play
They're learning English. (Están aprendiendo inglés.)
o Play
She's currently looking for a job. (Actualmente está buscando un trabajo.)
o Play
Are you working? (¿Estás trabajando?)
3. Usamos el presente continuo para hablar de algo que está ya decidido que se hará en
el futuro próximo.
o Ejemplos:
o Play
I'm going to the party tonight. (Voy a la fiesta esta noche.)
o Play
He's not [He isn't] coming to class tomorrow. (No viene a la clase manaña.)
o Play
Are you working next week? (¿Trabajas la semana que viene?)
Nota: Hay unos verbos que no solemos usar en los tiempos continuos. Hay excepciones,
depende en que sentido estamos usando el verbo. Puedes consultar la lista de verbos de tiempos
continuos y su explicación.
be, want, need, know, prefer, remember, understand, care, see, hear, smell, believe,
belong, cost, seem, exist, own, belong, like, dislike, love, hate, fear, envy, mind...
Ejemplos
David is needing a new car.
Play
David needs a new car.
Basic form
Subject + IS/ARE + Verb (continuous form)
Quick examples
He is sleeping.
I am visiting grandpa in the afternoon.
You are always coming late for the meetings!
The Present Continuous is mainly used to express the idea that something is
happening at the moment of speaking. The Present Continuous also describes
activities generally in progress (not at the moment). Another use of the tense is to
talk about temporary actions or future plans.
Use
1. Present actions
2. Temporary actions
3. Longer actions in progress
4. Future (personal) arrangements and plans
5. Tendencies and trends
6. Irritation
Use 1: Present Actions
Most often, we use the Present Continuous tense to talk about actions happening at the
moment of speaking.
He is eating a dinner.
Mary is talking with her friends.
They are swimming in the pool.
Stative (State) Verbs
There is a certain group of verbs that usually does not appear in the Continuous
form. They are calledStative (State) Verbs, and if used in the Continuous form, they
have a different meaning.
Examples:
I think you look pretty today. meaning: Opinion
I'm thinking of moving to San Francisco. meaning: Act of thinking
Read more
[ I 'm having a shower now. ]
Explanation
In this cartoon, you can see a man in the shower who says: "I'm taking a shower
now".
Why is the Present Continuous tense used in this example? Because the Johny
is taking shower at this precise moment.
Use 2: Temporary Actions
This tense is also used for activities continuing only for a limited period of time.
I'm riding a bike to get to work because my car is broken. Temporary Action (His car
will soon be repaired)
They are not talking with each other after the last argument. Temporary Action (They
will soon make up)
Mary is working at McDonald's. Temporary Action (She is working there only during the
summer holidays)
Use 3: Longer Actions in Progress
We also use the Present Continuous when we are in the middle of doing something
time-consuming (i.e. something that takes time to complete). An example of such an
activity is writing a book, saving money or studying for an exam.
They are working hard to earn money.
I am training to become a professional footballer.
Mike is studying hard to become a doctor.
Elizabeth is currently writing a children's book titled I am the World.
To understand this use better, watch this interactive animation:
I'm writing an adventure book.
Explanation
In this cartoon, you can a man who says: "I'm writing an adventure book".
Why is the Present Continuous tense used in this example? Click on the buttons
located on the Timeline to see the other scenes. You will find out that Alex (the writer)
was writing the book a month ago, two months ago and four months ago. Clearly, it's a
longer action in progress.
Use 4: Future (Personal) Arrangements and Plans
Sometimes we use the Present Continuous to show that something is planned and
will be done in the near future.
I'm meeting Katie in the evening.
He's flying to Rome in September.
We're not going anywhere tomorrow.
Use 5: Tendencies and Trends
This tense is also used for expressing tendencies or trends.
Our country is getting richer.
The Internet is becoming less of a novelty.
The Universe is expanding.
Use 6: Irritation or Anger
And the last use of this tense is to express irritation or anger over somebody or
something in the present with adverbs such as: always, continually or contantly.
She is continually complaining about everything!
Johny is always asking stupid questions!
My boss is contantly critising me!
Form
To form a sentence in the Present Continuous, you have to:
know the proper conjugation of the auxiliary verb .
Person Singular Plural
First I am We are
Second You are You are
Third He/she/it is They are
add the "ing" suffix to the verb (to form the present participle of the verb). Examples:
o try + ing = trying
o go + ing = going
Contracted forms (more)
I + am = I'm
is + not = isn't
are + not = aren't
he + is = he's
she + is = she's
it + is= it's
Declarative Sentences
Subject + IS/ARE + Verb + ING
e.g. he, she, a e.g. walking, going,
dog, etc. taking, etc.
USE (CLICK TO
EXAMPLES
READ)
I am reading a book. 1
They are swimming in the sea. 1
I am having my first driving lesson this
4
week.
He's studying to become lawyer one
3
day
She is always asking me stupid
5
questions.
Questions
IS/ARE Subject Verb + ING
+ +
e.g. he, she, a e.g. walking, going,
dog, etc. taking, etc.
USE (CLICK TO
EXAMPLES
READ)
Is she eating my cake now? 1
Are they having the party on Friday or
2
Saturday?
Are you meeting David today? 2
Is Mary having breakfast now? 1
Negative Sentences
IS NOT / ARE
Subject Verb + ING
NOT
+ +
e.g. he, she, a e.g. walking, going,
dog, etc. taking, etc.
USE (CLICK TO
EXAMPLES
READ)
He isn't joking. 1
We aren't waiting for my uncle. 1
He is not going to school
2
tomorrow.