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 | |
---|---|
Right! Who wants chardonnay, then? | Certo! Quem quer Chardonnay, então? |
Erm, sorry, but I think you have the wrong Mike... | Erm, lamento, mas acho que você está pensando em outro Mike... |
Do you want to bet on it? | Você quer apostar? |
Do you go to the Windmill often? | Você vai para o Windmill muitas vezes? |
I'm really sorry to hear that, mate! | Lamento muito parceiro! |
You need to press the button down and turn it right. | Pressione o botão e vire para a direita. |
I don't like violence in real life, I only like it in movies. | Eu não gosto de violência na vida real, só gosto em filmes. |
Okay, who sings it? | Muito bem, quem canta? |
Anyway, the flight situation is a bit complicated. | De qualquer forma, a questão do voo é um pouco complicada. |
My housemates don't clean anything in the kitchen. | Meus companheiros de casa não limpa nada na cozinha. |
Is there any other cat around? | Há mais algum gato por aqui? |
Hang on, I remember you telling me you never kill animals! | Calma, eu me lembro de você me ter dito que nunca mata animais! |
You sound like a mix of British and Australian. | Seu sotaque parece uma mistura de inglês britânico e australiano. |
I guess you need to change your cooking plan now! | Acho que você vai ter de mudar seu plano de culinária agora! |
Do you like train rides, too? | Você também gosta de passeios de trem? |
My husband and I really appreciate it. | Meu marido e eu agradecemos muito. |
I would like to... But I have other things to do... | Eu gostaria... Mas tenho outras coisas para fazer... |
Is your father sick? | Seu pai está doente? |
Exactly, I hate getting woken up in the middle of the night! | Exatamente, eu odeio que me acordem no meio da noite! |
Hello, my name is Mike, I'm Cate's boyfriend... | Olá, meu nome é Mike, o namorado de Cate... |