







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 | |
|---|---|
| Let me check... Yes, there are some plates. | Vou ver... Sim, temos alguns pratos. |
| Of course, 2 tomatoes are enough, I think. | Claro, julgo que 2 tomates são suficientes. |
| 5 bedroom detached house on Lyme Street, £2,800, is that right? | Moradia isolada com 5 quartos em Lyme Street, 2800£, é isso? |
| Are you sure she is from Australia? | Você tem a certeza que ela é da Austrália? |
| Is it really on the menu? | Isso está no menu? |
| What's your plan, Cate? | Qual é o seu plano, Cate? |
| I'm sure it's where it always is. | Tenho certeza que está no sítio do costume. |
| I feel a bit tired and very hungry. | Estou um pouco cansada e com muita fome. |
| Not long, my lessons start at 12:30. | Não muito, minhas aulas começam às 12:30. |
| Sure, my name is Cate and my number is 077... | Claro, meu nome é Cate e meu número é o 077... |
| They're there, under the duvet. | Está aqui, debaixo do edredom. |
| Excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom. | Com licença, preciso ir no banheiro. |
| Okay, the total is £36.74, sir. | Muito bem, o total é 36,74 £. |
| I have no idea... But I hope they have a good excuse! | Não faço ideia... Mas espero que tenha uma boa desculpa! |
| Do you remember the pub's name? | Você se lembra do nome do pub? |
| The place I am having the meeting is very close to Brighton Pier. | O lugar onde vou ter a reunião é muito próximo do porto de Brighton. |
| Why did you ask, do you want me to boil it? | Por que pergunta, você quer que eu o coza? |
| Oh sorry dear, my husband has some difficulties hearing... | Oh, me desculpe, querido, meu marido tem algumas dificuldade de audição... |
| I think so, he can look around while Bear is not here. | Acho que sim, ele pode conhecer a casa enquanto o Bear não chega. |
| It's all about my lovely little cat, Pogo. | Tem tudo a ver com meu gatinho encantador, o Pogo. |