In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
Present simple example sentences | |
---|---|
And he looks about 3 years old now. | E ele parece ter cerca de 3 anos agora. |
Anyway, the flight situation is a bit complicated. | De qualquer forma, a questão do voo é um pouco complicada. |
Oh f*ck off, I've got to go now... | Oh vá se f*der, eu tenho de ir agora... |
I think the price is very cheap. | Acho que é muito barato. |
Do you want me to tell her that you are here? | Quer que eu lhe diga que você está aqui? |
It's Marvin Gaye, from the 60's, but this is the remix. | Marvin Gaye, dos anos 60, mas é uma remistura. |
But... I'm not good at lying... | Mas... Eu não sou boa a mentir... |
Of course, I researched it well, it's 525 metres. | Claro, eu fiz uma boa pesquisa, tem 525 metros. |
As I said, it's much easier to open with two people. | Como disse, é muito mais fácil abrir com duas pessoas. |
Which appointment? Do you mean the house in Angel? | Qual marcação? Você quer dizer a casa em Angel? |
I'm sorry but I have bad news about the room... | Lamento, mas tenho más notícias acerca do quarto... |
Hi, is your cat okay? | Oi, seu gato está bem? |
I hope it's not related to me! | Espero que não esteja relacionado comigo! |
That's why the rent is much lower than average. | É por isso que o aluguel é muito mais baixo que a média. |
Okay, what temperature do you want me to set it at? | Certo, acendo em que temperatura? |
Everything is the same as it's advertised. | Tudo se mantém conforme anunciado. |
I don't mind sitting outside as long as I'm not cold. | Não me importo de ficar lá fora desde que não esteja frio. |
Is the first one washing the dishes or cleaning? | A primeira é lavar os pratos ou limpar? |
I'm sorry, I'm not good at remembering names sometimes! | Lamento, às vezes eu não sou bom a recordar nomes! |
Erm, we don't have any, but there is someone else's bread. | Hum, nós não temos pão, mas tem ali pão de outra pessoa. |