The Simple Present Verb Tense

The Simple Present Verb Tense is one of the first verb tenses to learn.  Use The Simple Present to talk and write about habits and actions that do (or do not) happen on a regular basis. Use this verb tense to give information about scheduled events.

Some common adverb phrases of frequency that are used with The Simple Present Verb Tense are:

• Every day

• Every other Wednesday

• Once or Twice-- a day/week/month/year

• Usually

• Once in a while

• Never

• Always

• Sometimes

Now, let's use some of the adverb phrases of frequency with the following verbs to write and say sentences in The Simple Present Verb Tense.

Example 1: Adding an "s" to the Third Person Singular

(First Person Singular) I usually drive to work.

(Second Person Singular) You never drive to work.

(Third Person Singular) He/She drives to work twice a week. Notice that an "s" has been added to the end of drive.

(First Person Plural) Sometimes, we drive to work.

(Second Person Plural) Every day, all of you drive to work together.

(Third Person Plural) They always drive to work together.

Example 2: Adding an "es" to the Third Person Singular

(First Person Singular) I usually finish my homework.

(Second Person Singular) You never finish your homework.

(Third Person Singular) He/She finishes his/her homework twice a week. Notice that an "es" has been added to the end of finish.

(First Person Plural) Sometimes, we finish our homework.

(Second Person Plural) Every day, all of you finish your homework.

(Third Person Plural) They always finish their homework together.

Now, it's your turn. 

See if you can make sentences of your own with some of the other verbs listed above.

Click here to download a reference sheet for The Simple Present Verb Tense

English to Spanish Verb Translations

• to drive - manejar
• to work - trabajar
• to get up - levantarse
• to make - hacer
• to help - ayudar
• to pick up - recoger
• to finish - terminar
• to exercise - hacer ejercicio
• to talk - hablar