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 | |
---|---|
He also wants to increase our rent by 50%! | Ele também quer aumentar nosso aluguel em 50%! |
Her name is Ayumi! | O nome dela é Ayumi! |
How much rice do you need? | De quanto arroz você precisa? |
What kind of music do you like the most? | Qual o tipo de música que você gosta mais? |
Mike, it is a continent! | Mike, é um continente! |
Aren't there four of us dear? | Não somos quatro, querido? |
I hope it's not related to me! | Espero que não esteja relacionado comigo! |
What do you want me to do with them? | O que você quer que eu faça com eles? |
Can you please not forget to take some poo bags with you! | Por favor, não se esqueça de levar sacos para o cocó! |
Is she here with you? | Ela está aqui com você? |
I'm just teasing you, dear, 200 degrees is okay! | Estou zombando minha querida, 200 graus está bom! |
Of course, I researched it well, it's 525 metres. | Claro, eu fiz uma boa pesquisa, tem 525 metros. |
Erm, I can't work it out, I guess it's more than 150 years old. | Hã, não sei dizer, suponho que tem mais de 150 anos. |
I like some Jamiroquai songs, but not all of them. | Eu gosto de algumas canções de Jamiroquai, mas não de todas. |
Okay, that's fine. | Ok, tudo bem. |
Do you know how to use them? | Você sabe como as usar? |
Until you just light your cigarette. | Até que você acaba de acender seu cigarro. |
Mike, 250 degrees is the highest! | Mike, é máximo é 250 graus! |
No, we drain pasta with a grater. | Não, a gente escorre a massa com um ralador. |
Exactly, so do you think snails are bugs or not? | Exatamente, então você acha que os caracóis são bichos ou não? |