







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 | |
|---|---|
| Do your parents live in London, too? | Seus pais também vivem em Londres? |
| You look much younger than that. | Você parece muito mais jovem do que isso. |
| I've experienced how difficult and expensive it can be. | Sei bem quão difícil e caro pode ser. |
| I hope you are aware it's your last 3 days to find a house... | Espero que você tenha consciência de que lhe restam 3 dias para encontrar uma casa... |
| There are plenty more, but I think gumtree.com is the best. | Existem muitos mais, mas eu penso que o gumtree.com é o melhor. |
| 5 bedroom detached house on Lyme Street, £2,800, is that right? | Moradia isolada com 5 quartos em Lyme Street, 2800£, é isso? |
| Then people come and complain to me! | Depois as pessoas fazem queixa a mim! |
| My beard makes me look older, I think. | Minha barba faz me parecer mais velho, eu acho. |
| It seems there is no one in the house! | Parece que não está ninguém em casa! |
| You know tomorrow is my last day. | Sabe que amanhã é o meu último dia. |
| Okay, so do you want me to make 3 serves? | Certo, você quer que eu faça 3 doses? |
| No worries, everybody uses my stuff all the time. | Não há problema, todo mundo usa as minhas coisas a toda a hora. |
| I am 24. | Eu tenho 24. |
| Don't worry Diego, it's not related to you! | Não se preocupe, Diego, não é relacionado com você! |
| I'm really amazed by the structure of this station. | Estou muito impressionada com a arquitetura desta estação. |
| Is the first one washing the dishes or cleaning? | A primeira é lavar os pratos ou limpar? |
| Umm, Dick is here, dear, he is the landlord... | Hum, Dick está aqui, querida, ele é o senhorio... |
| 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! |
| Wow, that's unbelievable, is it yours? | Uau, isso é inacreditável, é sua a panela? |
| Yes, it was quite easy, actually, I live very close by. | Sim, foi bastante fácil, na verdade, eu vivo aqui perto. |