







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 | |
|---|---|
| Watch out for the 3rd step, it's not very stable. | Atenção ao terceiro degrau, não é muito estável. |
| They're there, under the duvet. | Está aqui, debaixo do edredom. |
| Where is Flora, isn't she here? | Onde está a Flora, não está aqui? |
| Is it a single or a double room? | É um quarto individual ou duplo? |
| I'm sorry to say that no pets are allowed in the house! | Lamento, mas não são autorizados animais de estimação na casa! |
| Which appointment? Do you mean the house in Angel? | Qual marcação? Você quer dizer a casa em Angel? |
| I can't believe you still don't get it! | Eu não acredito que você ainda não percebeu! |
| I guess he wants to drink some water. | Acho que ele quer beber água. |
| Did you check carefully, don't we have any at all? | Verificou com atenção, não temos mesmo nada? |
| Yes, that's okay, we are just about to leave. | Sim, não há problema, nós estamos mesmo de saída. |
| I hate taking long flights! | Odeio fazer viagens de avião longas! |
| A flat is not a good idea for Bear, it doesn't have a garden. | Um apartamento não é uma boa ideia para o Bear, não tem jardim. |
| When you stop believing we can get a house in Mayfair for 2,400! | Quando você deixar de acreditar que podemos arranjar uma casa em Mayfair por 2400! |
| No worries Mike, as I said, he only does it when he is stressed. | Não se preocupe Mike, como eu disse, ele só faz isso quando está estressado. |
| Yeah, it is very important for me, actually. | Sim, é muito importante para mim, na verdade. |
| I'm sure it's where it always is. | Tenho certeza que está no sítio do costume. |
| So, I guess you are from Australia. | Então, você é da Austrália. |
| It's not a nice thing to say to a woman... | Não é algo agradável de se dizer a uma mulher... |
| It's hard to believe, but we have a pressure cooker in the house. | É difícil de acreditar, mas nós temos uma panela de pressão. |
| I don't think it's hay fever! I believe it's from the cat... | Eu não penso que seja febre do feno! Julgo que seja o gato... |