







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 | |
|---|---|
| Why? I never put a question mark when I search something! | Porquê? Eu nunca coloco um ponto de interrogação quando eu pesquiso algo! |
| Yes, I like them, too. | Sim, também gosto. |
| I mostly cook meat, fish and chicken dishes. | Confeciono maioritariamente pratos de carne, peixe e frango. |
| No, no, nothing is wrong, no need to worry, we are all fine... | Não, não, não está nada errado, não se preocupe, está tudo bem... |
| Girls, this is Diego. | Meninas, este é o Diego. |
| Wow, that's unbelievable, is it yours? | Uau, isso é inacreditável, é sua a panela? |
| How do you want me to chop the onions, big or small? | Como você quer que eu corte as cebolas, em pedaços grandes ou pequenos? |
| For the risotto, I need some arborio rice. | Preciso de arroz arbório para o risotto. |
| Thank god there is nothing to worry about. | Graças a Deus, não há razão para preocupações. |
| Ta-ta here it is... | Tcharã aqui está... |
| Is that right? | Estou certo? |
| He wants to, but tonight it's impossible. | Ele quer, mas esta noite é impossível. |
| Is your father sick? | Seu pai está doente? |
| I can't imagine myself being on a plane for that long! | Não consigo imaginar-me no avião durante tanto tempo! |
| I wear some of them, can I check them when I get back? | Eu uso algumas, posso verificar quando voltar? |
| Let's calculate, I pay 135 per week for one person... | Vamos fazer contas, eu pago 135 por semana por uma pessoa... |
| Sorry, is it possible to see it this Saturday after 2 o'clock? | Lamento, é possível ver a casa este sábado depois das 2 da tarde? |
| Sorry, they don't serve chips here... | Lamento, eles não servem batatas fritas aqui... |
| Calm down dear, I don't think he realises what he says. | Calma, querida, eu penso que ele não se apercebeu do que disse. |
| Sure, my name is Cate and my number is 077... | Claro, meu nome é Cate e meu número é o 077... |