







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 | |
|---|---|
| Maybe I get a bit moody on the first day of my period. | Talvez fique um pouco mal-humorada no primeiro dia do período. |
| Sure, my name is Cate and my number is 077... | Claro, meu nome é Cate e meu número é o 077... |
| Erm, by the way, since we are on the subject... | Erm, a propósito, já que estamos falando do assunto... |
| Here you go sir, this is your receipt and your £20 cashback. | Aqui está o seu recibo e as 20 £. |
| I'd like to one day, when they invent teleportation. | Gostava de ir um dia, quando inventarem o teletransporte. |
| Why don't you get it then? Do you want to see upstairs or not? | Por que não fica com ela então? Você quer ver o piso superior ou não? |
| Yeah, I like having lasagne the day after it's cooked, it tastes better. | Sim, eu gosto de comer lasanha no dia seguinte a cozinhá-la, sabe melhor. |
| I don't think it's normal, do you think it's normal? | Eu não acho normal, você acha que é normal? |
| I have no idea... But I hope they have a good excuse! | Não faço ideia... Mas espero que tenha uma boa desculpa! |
| It seems Pogo wants to go into the garden. | Parece que o Pogo quer entrar no jardim. |
| Isn't Morrison's closer? | O Morrison's não é mais perto? |
| Do you have any brothers or sisters? | Você tem irmãos ou irmãs? |
| Oh Jesus Christ... I get it now! That's disgusting... | Oh nossa... Já percebi! Isso é nojento... |
| Don't worry Diego, it's not related to you! | Não se preocupe, Diego, não é relacionado com você! |
| Hmm, I like pop, rock, funk. | Hum, eu gosto de pop, rock, funk. |
| Hmm, I guess it's a bit old, but it's still my favourite. | Hum, penso que seja um pouco antigo, mas é o meu favorito. |
| It seems there is no one in the house! | Parece que não está ninguém em casa! |
| Everything is the same as it's advertised. | Tudo se mantém conforme anunciado. |
| That's nice... I hope she is not a teenager! How old is she? | Legal... Espero que ela não seja uma adolescente! Que idade tem ela? |
| I'm a web designer. | Eu sou um web designer. |