TIEMPOS VERBALES
The Forms of “To Be”
The Greek sea god, Proteus, was (like the sea) capable of changing form in an instant. In order to get any decent information out of him, you had to grab him and hold on tight while he went through his various forms — lion, wild boar, snake, tree, running stream — it wasn't easy. The verb “To be” is said to be the most protean of the English language, constantly changing form, sometimes without much of a discernible pattern. Considering that we use it so often, it is really too bad that the verb “To be” has to be the most irregular, slippery verb in the language.
Tiene algunos usos especiales distintos a sus equivalentes españoles.
- Sirve para expresar la edad, en cuyo caso se traduce por 'tener':
Mary is 20 years old / Maria tiene 20 años
I am 21 / Yo tengo 21 años
How old are you? / ¿Cuántos años tienes?
- Para expresar las sensaciones también se emplea el verbo 'to be' y equivale al 'tener' español.
Are you hungry? / ¿Tienes hambre?
He is thirsty / Tiene sed
- También para hablar sobre el tiempo atmosférico. En este caso se traduce por 'hacer'
It's windy / Hace viento
It's very cold / Hace mucho frío
FORMA AFIRMATIVA FORMA NEGATIVA FORMA INTERROGATIVA
I am (I'm) I am not (I'm not) am I?
soy, estoy no soy, no estoy ¿soy yo?, ¿estoy yo?
you are (you're) you are not (you're not) are you?
eres, estás no eres, no estás ¿eres tú?, ¿estás tú?
he is (he's) he is not (he's not) is he?
él es, está él no es, no está ¿es él?, ¿está él?
we are (we're) we are not (we're not) are we?
somos, estamos no somos, no estamos ¿somos?, ¿estamos?
you are (you're) you are not (you're not) are you?
sois, estáis no sois, no estáis ¿sois?, ¿estáis?
they are (they're) they are not (they're not) are they?
ellos son, están ellos no son, no están ¿son, están ellos?

Present simple

In English, Present simple tense is the present (and not perfective aspect) expressing habitual action, ie, habits, routines in daily life. It differs from the present perfect in the latter has perfective aspect, and the continuous present in which the other has progressive aspect.

Example
You work in a company 'Tú trabajas en una empresa'
He drinks a lot of water 'Él toma mucha agua'

Present continuous (present continuous)

It is used to describe actions that are being developed right now:

I am reading a book. = I'm reading a book (in right now)
You are playing football. = You're playing football


Also used to describe actions that are being developed around the time that talks, looks, though not necessarily in that moment:

I am Studying French. = I'm studying French (I have enrolled in an academy, but not necessarily at this precise moment I am with books in French)
I am looking my favorite tv show = I'm watching my favorite television show.

Also used to describe an action that will take place in the near future and which has taken a final decision. In this case, you always have to mention the time in which to develop action:

I am going to London next week. = I'm going to London next week (the action will develop in the near future and there is a final decision on my part to carry out)
"present perfect" time is used to describe actions that just happened in the past and that have some connection with this. Castilian equates the present perfect:
The "present perfect" is a time that is used to describe actions that just happened in thepast and that have some connection with this. Castilian equates the present perfect:


I Have Bought a car. I have bought a car indicates that the act of buying the car justmade.


If instead we used the "past simple" this connection to the present is lost:


I Bought a car. I bought a car does not mean that action has been recent, and stillcontinue to have that car.


In sentences with "present perfect" is not usually mention the time when the action has been developed:


I have read a book. I have read a book just completed action.