







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 | |
|---|---|
| Excuse me ma'am, here is an undamaged packet of rice for you. | Perdão minha senhor, aqui está um pacote de arroz não danificado. |
| Here you can take it, be careful, it's very hot. | Tome, cuidado, está muito quente. |
| Unfortunately, she is a teenager, she is 19! | Infelizmente, ela é uma adolescente, tem 19 anos! |
| It's got some water marks on it! | Tem algumas marcas de água! |
| Okay, that's fine. | Ok, tudo bem. |
| Sometimes he doesn't even recognize my mum. | Às vezes ele nem sequer reconhece minha mãe. |
| Oh, sorry! You don't like cleaning things, I can do it. | Oh, desculpe! Você não gosta de lavar coisas, eu faço isso. |
| No, it doesn't look clean, do you want me to clean it? | Não, não está limpa, você quer eu a limpe? |
| Is it big money? | É muito dinheiro? |
| I don't have time to cook everyday. | Não tenho tempo para cozinhar todos os dias. |
| Your perfectly shaped mushrooms are ready! | Seus cogumelos perfeitamente cortados estão prontos! |
| What's the date today? | Que dia é hoje? |
| Is she here with you? | Ela está aqui com você? |
| Let me check... when is best for you? | Vou verificar... qual o melhor dia para você? |
| It sounds like a good deal. | Me parece um bom plano. |
| Erm... They pay 170 weekly. | Erm... Eles pagam 170 por semana. |
| Not long, my lessons start at 12:30. | Não muito, minhas aulas começam às 12:30. |
| With gas stoves, someone can leave the gas on, it's too dangerous! | Com os fogões a gás, as pessoas podem deixar o gás aberto, é demasiado perigoso! |
| Yeah, I like having lasagne the day after it's cooked, it tastes better. | Sim, eu gosto de comer lasanha no dia seguinte a cozinhá-la, sabe melhor. |
| I don't think so, trains leave about every 20 minutes. | Acho que não, os trens partem a cada 20 minutos. |