1. Affirmative Sentences

Subject + verb.

Examples:

I talk. (I speak.)

I have eats. (He eats.)

They learn (They learn.)

2. Negative Sentences

Subject + auxiliary verb (to do) + negative auxiliary ("not") + verb.

Examples:

I do not [do not] talk. I do not speak

He does not eat. (He does not eat.)

They do not [do not] learn. (They do not learn.)

Note: In negative sentences, the auxiliary verb ("to do") changes and the main verb goes in the infinitive.

3. Interrogative Sentences

Auxiliary verb (to do) + subject + main verb?

Examples:

Do you talk? Do you speak?

Does he eat? Eat it?

Do they learn? Do they learn?

Note: As in negative sentences, in interrogative phrases the auxiliary verb ("to do") changes and the main verb goes in the infinitive.

For more information on sentence structure, see lesson, build sentences.

Uses (Uses)

1. The present simple is used to talk about things that happen regularly. Unlike with Spanish, the present simple is not used to talk about something that is happening at the moment in which we speak.

It is usually used the simple present with adverbs of time:

Always, every day, usually,

Often, sometimes, seldom,

Hardly ever, never (never) ...

Examples:

I always talk to my mother on Sunday. I always talk to my mother on Sunday.

He never eats vegetables. (Never eat vegetables.)

They usually learn something new in class. (They usually learn something new in class.)

Exception:

The adverbs of time go before the verb, except the verb "to be". When you use "to be" the verb goes in front of the adverb.

Examples:

 I am always happy. I'm always happy.

 He is often sick. (He is often sick.)

 They are rarely late. (They are rarely late.)

2. It is used to talk about generalities or scientific facts.

Examples:

He does not eat vegetables. He does not eat vegetables.

She works in a hospital. She works in a hospital.

Elephants live in Africa. (Elephants live in Africa.)

Bogota is in Colombia. (Bogota is in Colombia.)

Do children like animals? Do animals like animals?

Adults do not [do not] know everything. (Adults do not know everything.)

3. Used for scheduled events in the near future.

Examples:

The train leaves at 10:00. (The train departs at 10am.)

The party is tonight. The party is tonight.

Does the festival start tomorrow? Is the festival starting tomorrow?

The plane does not [arrive] today. The plane does not arrive today.

4. It is used for instructions (the imperative).

Examples:

Open the window. (Open the window.)

Eat the vegetables. Eat the vegetables.

Do not cry. (Do not Cry.)

Do your homework. (Do your homework.)

Call your mother. (Call your mother.)