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, that's a good idea. | Sim, isso é uma boa ideia. |
Is she here with you? | Ela está aqui com você? |
He wouldn't run away, he just wants to check what's outside. | Ele não foge, ele só quer ver o que há lá fora. |
I would like to... But I have other things to do... | Eu gostaria... Mas tenho outras coisas para fazer... |
That's fine, I'm almost ready. | Tudo bem, estou quase pronta. |
Isn't Morrison's closer? | O Morrison's não é mais perto? |
No worries, I have got a peeler for you! | Sem problema, eu tenho um descascador aqui para você! |
Hmm.. yes, we get on really well. | Hmm.. sim, nós nos damos bem. |
Umm, you can tell them it's our wedding anniversary. | Hum, você pode lhes dizer que é o nosso aniversário de casamento. |
Ah, I'm very sorry, but we're fully booked tonight! | Ah, lamento muito, mas estamos totalmente lotados hoje à noite! |
Everything is the same as it's advertised. | Tudo se mantém conforme anunciado. |
Do you have any relatives in London? | Você tem familiares em Londres? |
Is there a garlic crusher, then? | Tem um esmagador de alho então? |
I'm so sorry, but we need to cancel our meeting today. | Lamento, mas temos de cancelar nossa reunião de hoje. |
Do you need to wake up early tomorrow or something? | Você precisa acorda cedo amanhã ou algo assim? |
No, I'm a real estate agent. | Não, eu sou um agente imobiliário. |
No, actually, he is properly toilet trained. | Não, na verdade ele sabe fazer as necessidades no sítio certo. |
Yes, Bear eats one and a half cats everyday for breakfast. | Sim, o Bear come um gato e meio todos os dias no café da manhã. |
I mean, do you cook Asian or other kinds of cuisines? | Quero dizer, você confeciona pratos asiáticos ou de outros tipos de cozinhas? |
I don't want to live in the suburbs! | Eu não quero viver nos subúrbios! |