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 | |
---|---|
I searched: does Pinocchio know he is not a real boy. | Eu pesquisei: o Pinóquio sabe que ele não é um garoto verdadeiro. |
I don't know, probably put it in the bin. | Não sei, provavelmente poria ela no cesto do lixo. |
Okay, so do you want me to make 3 serves? | Certo, você quer que eu faça 3 doses? |
Do you have any area in mind? | Você tem alguma zona em mente? |
I hope it’s not serious. | Espero que não seja grave. |
Hi girls, this is Mike. | Oi meninas, este é o Mike. |
Normally, girls check the wine list for half an hour before they order. | Normalmente as mulheres consultam a lista de vinhos durante meia hora antes de pedirem. |
Erm, I can't work it out, I guess it's more than 150 years old. | Hã, não sei dizer, suponho que tem mais de 150 anos. |
It's individually, the small ones are 30p, big ones 50p. | Individualmente, os mais pequenos 30 cêntimos, os maiores 50 cêntimos. |
Sure, our kitchen is newly refurbished... | Claro, nossa cozinha foi mobilada recentemente... |
And secondly, vets are so expensive! | E em segundo lugar, os veterinários são tão caros! |
I guess he wants to drink some water. | Acho que ele quer beber água. |
I guess so, but I want to finish seeing all the houses today. | Suponho, mas quero acabar de ver todas as casas hoje. |
Yes, I'm here waiting for good news. | Sim, estou aqui aguardando boas notícias. |
Are you sure she is from Australia? | Você tem a certeza que ela é da Austrália? |
It's not a big deal but it's quite an important thing to mention. | Não é um problema mas é algo importante de se mencionar. |
Do you really think it looks like we have a cleaner? | Você acha mesmo que nós temos uma empregada de limpeza? |
Upstairs, there is Diego and a British couple next to him. | No piso de cima vive o Diego e um casal britânico. |
Okay, here we are, this is Honeybrook Street. | Muito bem, aqui estamo, esta é a Honeybrook Street. |
Hope to see you later. | Espero voltar a ver você. |