The Present Simple

¡Hola, amigos! Olá, amigos! It's time to explore the present simple. This guide is designed to help Spanish and Portuguese speakers better understand and use the present simple in English. We'll compare the three languages and provide examples to illustrate the similarities and differences. Let's dive in!

Introduction to the Present Simple in English

The present simple is used to describe habits, routines, general truths, or facts. In English, the present simple is generally formed by using the base form of the verb. However, in the third person singular (he, she, it), we add -s or -es to the verb. In Spanish, the present simple is known as "presente del indicativo," and in Portuguese, it is called "presente do indicativo."

Regular Verbs

Formation

In English, regular verbs form the present simple by using the base form of the verb. For the third person singular (he, she, it), we add -s or -es. For example:

• To work (trabajar, trabalhar) -> works

• To play (jugar, jogar) -> plays

• To dance (bailar, dançar) -> dances

In Spanish and Portuguese, regular verbs are conjugated differently depending on the verb ending (-ar, -er, -ir). Example Sentences:

• I work in a restaurant. (Trabajo en un restaurante. / Trabalho em um restaurante.)

• She plays soccer with her friends. (Ella juega fútbol con sus amigos. / Ela joga futebol com os amigos.)

• They dance every weekend. (Bailan todos los fines de semana. / Dançam todos os fins de semana.)

Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs in English don't follow the -s or -es rule for the third person singular in the present simple. They have unique forms that must be memorized. Similarly, in Spanish and Portuguese, irregular verbs also have unique conjugations in the present simple.

Example Sentences

• He goes to the park every day. (Él va al parque todos los días. / Ele vai ao parque todos os dias.)

• She has a great time at parties. (Ella lo pasa muy bien en las fiestas. / Ela se diverte muito nas festas.)

• He knows the answer to the question. (Él sabe la respuesta a la pregunta. / Ele sabe a resposta para a pergunta.)

Tips for Spanish and Portuguese Speakers

1. Remember that, unlike in Spanish and Portuguese, English does not have different conjugations for each subject pronoun (except for the third person singular). The present simple form of a verb is the same for all subjects, making it easier to learn and use.

2. Pay attention to the third person singular (he, she, it) in English, as you need to add -s or -es to the verb. This is different from the conjugation rules in Spanish and Portuguese.