







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 rice section is over there. | A zona do arroz é ali. |
| I want him to check the heaters in the rooms while he is here! | Eu quero que ele verifique os aquecedores dos quartos enquanto ele está cá! |
| Hello mate, where are you? | Oi parceiro, onde você está? |
| Excuse me sir, here are your drinks and the menu. | Com licença, senhor, aqui estão as vossas bebidas e o menu. |
| That's right, I think pressure cookers are quite dangerous, too! | Isso é verdade, eu acho que as panelas de pressão também são bastante perigosas! |
| If you are going to ask for money, I don't have any, either. | Se você me vai pedir dinheiro, eu também não tenho nenhum. |
| Yeah, it's quite a big country, more like a continent. | Sim, é um país muito grande, é mais um continente. |
| I am planning to sleep in a bit since it's a holiday. | Eu estou planejando dormir um pouco, já que é feriado. |
| And we have to weigh everything by ourselves, etcetera. | E temos de ser nós a pesar tudo, etcetera. |
| Come on, don't cry, she is just a stupid girl! | Então, não chore, ela é só uma garota estúpida! |
| Yeah, but the room is square and there are only four main objects in it. | Sim, mas o quarto é quadrado e tem apenas quatro objetos principais. |
| No, this one is the shop's own brand, that's why it's not expensive. | Não, este é da marca do supermercado e é por isso que não é caro. |
| Until you just light your cigarette. | Até que você acaba de acender seu cigarro. |
| Ta-ta here it is... | Tcharã aqui está... |
| Are you going to say sorry for saying I am stupid then? | Então, você vai pedir desculpa por dizer que sou estúpido? |
| It's impossible for me to commute from zone-9 to 1 everyday. | É impossível para mim viajar diariamente da zona 9 para a zona 1. |
| Okay, what temperature do you want me to set it at? | Certo, acendo em que temperatura? |
| No worries, I have got a peeler for you! | Sem problema, eu tenho um descascador aqui para você! |
| It sounds important. | Parece importante. |
| Calm down dear, I don't think he realises what he says. | Calma, querida, eu penso que ele não se apercebeu do que disse. |