







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 | |
|---|---|
| Yeah, I guess normally you go to work around 06:30. | Sim, julgo que normalmente vais trabalhar por volta das 06:30. |
| Oh f*ck off, I've got to go now... | Oh vá se f*der, eu tenho de ir agora... |
| Are they older or younger? | São mais velhas ou mais novas? |
| Do you want me to call them? | Você quer que eu ligue para eles? |
| I've finally completed it and tomorrow is the big day! | Eu finalmente o concluí e amanhã é o grande dia! |
| I can cook, of course, but only when I feel like it. | Eu cozinho, claro, mas apenas quando me apetece. |
| Which appointment? Do you mean the house in Angel? | Qual marcação? Você quer dizer a casa em Angel? |
| I wasn't expecting anything like this to happen, so I have no plan. | Eu não estava contando com isso, por isso não tenho nada planejado. |
| Erm, by the way, since we are on the subject... | Erm, a propósito, já que estamos falando do assunto... |
| I don't like going to hospitals, either. | Eu não também gosto de ir a hospitais. |
| How often do you have free time, then? | Quantas vezes tem tempo livre, então? |
| That's why I never trust quiet people... | É por isso que eu nunca confio em pessoas calmas... |
| Is there anything else you want me to do? | Quer que eu faça mais alguma coisa? |
| Don't worry Diego, it's not related to you! | Não se preocupe, Diego, não é relacionado com você! |
| Anyway, this is Cate and her friends from work. | Enfim, esta é a Cate e as suas amigas do trabalho. |
| How long does it usually take? | Quanto tempo demora, geralmente? |
| I like some Jamiroquai songs, but not all of them. | Eu gosto de algumas canções de Jamiroquai, mas não de todas. |
| Why? I never put a question mark when I search something! | Porquê? Eu nunca coloco um ponto de interrogação quando eu pesquiso algo! |
| Ta-ta here it is... | Tcharã aqui está... |
| Because I don't want to waste more time finding a new house... | Porque não quero perder mais tempo procurando uma casa nova... |