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 | |
---|---|
The cat is not actually mine, it's my girlfriend's cat. | Na verdade, o gato não é meu, é da minha namorada. |
What is it about? | De que se trata? |
Okay, the total is £36.74, sir. | Muito bem, o total é 36,74 £. |
Hey, before you go... | Ei, antes de você ir... |
Is she here with you? | Ela está aqui com você? |
Absolutely not, while you are working you smoke like a chimney. | Nem pensar, você fuma como uma chaminé quando está trabalhando. |
That's fine, I'm almost ready. | Tudo bem, estou quase pronta. |
This is my boyfriend, Mike. | Esse aí é o meu namorado, o Mike. |
Do you remember the pub's name? | Você se lembra do nome do pub? |
Maybe I know your friend. | Talvez eu conheça seu amigo. |
I don't know, probably put it in the bin. | Não sei, provavelmente poria ela no cesto do lixo. |
Hmm.. yes, I need mushrooms, stock, celery... | Hum... sim, eu preciso de cogumelos, caldo, aipo... |
Except mosquitoes because they ruin my sleep. | Exceto mosquitos, pois eles arruinam meu sono. |
Sorry Mrs. Jones, there is a misunderstanding... | Lamento, Sra. Jones, houve um mal-entendido... |
Bear's sitting here with me, his willy is out. | O Bear está sentado aqui comigo, tem a pilinha de fora. |
What’s their name? | Qual o nome dele? |
Do you know how to use them? | Você sabe como as usar? |
Did I? I don't know... What is it? | Esqueci? Não sei... O quê? |
Sorry, they don't serve chips here... | Lamento, eles não servem batatas fritas aqui... |
She is doing well, we have 3 months left to go. | Vai bem, faltam 3 meses. |