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 | |
---|---|
Hi, is your cat okay? | Oi, seu gato está bem? |
Right! Who wants chardonnay, then? | Certo! Quem quer Chardonnay, então? |
360 degrees should be good. | 360 graus está bom. |
Yeah, I wonder if we share the same taste in movies! | Sim, me pergunto se compartilhamos o mesmo gosto por filmes! |
I'm checking again, there are only two forks and a teaspoon! | Estou a ver novamente, só temos dois garfos e uma colher de chá! |
Hmm... actually, we have to boil it. | Hum... na verdade, nos temos de o cozer. |
But on the ad it says the house is fully furnished! | Mas no anúncio diz que a casa está totalmente equipada! |
The ones at the bottom look fresher. | A que está mais em baixo parece mais fresca. |
What do you think about him, Cate? | O que você pensa sobre ele Cate? |
No, but that's what I feel like having... | Não, mas é o que me apetece comer... |
Yes, she is coming back, but isn't it what I always do? | Sim, ela vai voltar, mas não é o que eu faço sempre? |
Do you know the pub around the corner? | Você conhece o pub ao virar da esquina? |
50% of 135 is 67.50... And it comes to totally 202.50. | 50% de 135 é 67,50... E isso dá um total de 202,50. |
What do you do? | O que você faz? |
Oh god, I feel too tired now. | Nossa, sinto-me demasiado cansada agora. |
I don't believe you! What's the difference today? | Não acredito em você! Qual a diferença hoje? |
Does the kid think he is a robot or the robot think it's a kid? | O garoto pensa que é um robô ou o robô pensa que é um garoto? |
I like girls' nights out. | Eu gosto de saídas de meninas. |
Umm, Dick is here, dear, he is the landlord... | Hum, Dick está aqui, querida, ele é o senhorio... |
But... I'm not good at lying... | Mas... Eu não sou boa a mentir... |