Understanding Present Simple Tense
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ScribdTranslationsUnderstanding Present Simple Tense
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ScribdTranslationsPresent Simple
Form
To conjugate the simple present we use the infinitive for the subjects 'I', 'you', 'we' and 'they' and for the
For third persons "he", "she" and "it", we add an "-s" to the end of the verb.
Subject Conjugation
I, you, we, they talk, eat, learn, do, go…
he, she, it talks, eats, learns, does, goes...
Note: There are exceptions in spelling in the third person, depending on the letter with which the verb ends. The rules
They are the same ones used to form the plural of nouns. For more information, see the lesson.
about the names.
Structure
1. Affirmative Sentences
Subject + verb.
Examples:
I speak.
He eats.
They learn.
2. Negative Sentences
Subject + auxiliary verb (to do) + negative auxiliary ("not") + verb.
Examples:
I do not talk.
He does not eat.
They do not learn.
Note: In negative sentences, the auxiliary verb ('to do') changes and the main verb is in the infinitive.
3. Interrogative Sentences
Auxiliary verb (to do) + subject + main verb?
Examples:
Do you talk?
Does he eat?
Do they learn?
Note: As in negative sentences, in interrogative sentences the auxiliary verb ('to do') changes and the verb
the principal goes in the infinitive.
For more information about sentence structure, see the lesson, build sentences.
Uses
The simple present is used to talk about things that happen regularly. Unlike the
Spanish does not use the simple present to talk about something that is happening at the moment when
we speak.
The simple present is usually used with adverbs of time:
always
often
almost never
Examples:
I always talk to my mother on Sunday.
He never eats vegetables.
They usually learn something new in class.
Exception:
Time adverbs go before the verb, except for the verb 'to be'. When 'to be' is used
the verb goes before the adverb.
Examples:
I am always happy.
He is often sick.
They rarely arrive late.
2. It is used to talk about generalities or scientific facts.
Examples:
He does not eat vegetables.
She works in a hospital.
Elephants live in Africa.
Bogotá is in Colombia.
Do children like animals?
Adults do not know everything.
It is used for scheduled events in the near future.
Examples:
The train leaves at 10:00.
The party is tonight.
Does the festival start tomorrow?
The plane does not arrive today.
4. It is used for instructions (the imperative).
Examples:
Open the window.
Eat the vegetables.
Don't cry.
Do your homework.
Call your mother.
Present Continuous
Form
To form the present continuous, the auxiliary verb 'to be' is used along with the gerund (infinitive + '-ing') of the
verb.
Subject Auxiliary (to be) Gerund
I am talking, eating, learning, doing, going…
he is talking, eating, learning, doing, going…
you are talking, eating, learning, doing, going...
Structure
1. Affirmative Sentences
Subject + auxiliary verb (to be) + gerund.
Examples:
I'm talking.
He’s eating.
They’re learning.
2. Negative Sentences
Subject + auxiliary verb (to be) + negative auxiliary (not) + gerund.
Examples:
I'm not talking.
He isn't eating.
3. Interrogative Sentences
Auxiliary verb (to be) + subject + gerund?
Examples:
Are you talking?
Is he/she eating?
Are they learning?
Uses
The present continuous is used to talk about something that is happening at the moment when
we talk.
Examples:
I’m studying now.
He’s eating at the moment.
Is it raining?
2. We also use it to talk about something that is happening currently but not
necessarily when we speak. In this case, time expressions like 'currently' are used.
lately
Examples:
They are learning English.
She is currently looking for a job.
Are you working a lot lately?
3. We use the present continuous to talk about something that is already decided to be done in the future.
next. Its use indicates that it is quite likely that what is planned will happen.
Examples:
I'm going to the party tonight.
He isn't coming to class tomorrow.
Are you working next week?
Note: There are some verbs that we do not usually use in continuous tenses. You can refer to the lesson onthe
continuous timesfor a list of verbs and a complete explanation.
ser/ester
saber/conocer
understand
belong
costar
like
to fear
Examples:
David needs a new car.
David is needing a new car.