







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 | |
|---|---|
| My husband and I really appreciate it. | Meu marido e eu agradecemos muito. |
| There is nothing much left to do, there are only bits and pieces. | Não há muito mais para fazer, apenas coisas pequenas. |
| Do you have another one? | Não tem outro? |
| Absolutely not, while you are working you smoke like a chimney. | Nem pensar, você fuma como uma chaminé quando está trabalhando. |
| It's more than enough, I need some garlic, also. | É mais do que suficiente, também preciso de alho. |
| You don't know the story behind it. | Você não sabe a história toda. |
| Last night we were open till very late, and you know her excuse. | A noite passada estivemos abertos até muito tarde, e você sabe que ela tem desculpa. |
| I don't think we need to pay for it. | Acho que não temos de pagar. |
| What kind of trick is that? | Que tipo de truque é esse? |
| I don't know really, what's yours? | Não tenho certeza, na verdade, qual é o seu? |
| Also, one of my friends works there. | Além disso, um dos meus amigos trabalha lá. |
| I mean, you don't live here with anyone from your family. | Quero dizer, você não vive aqui com ninguém de sua família. |
| There is also some cheese, but it's a bit mouldy. | Também há queijo, mas está um pouco bolorento. |
| The room is spacious and sunny and the bed looks comfortable! | O quarto é espaçoso e soalheiro e a cama parece confortável! |
| Upstairs, there is Diego and a British couple next to him. | No piso de cima vive o Diego e um casal britânico. |
| Oh sorry, unfortunately, that one is reserved. | Oh, lamento, essa está reservada. |
| I don't like their chardonnay. | Eu não gosto do Chardonnay deles. |
| Do we have a mortar and pestle? | Tem almofariz e pilão? |
| Yeah, it's open here already... | Sim, já está aqui aberto... |
| I'm hungry, but it's better to have something when we meet the guys. | Eu tenho fome, mas é melhor comer alguma coisa quando estivermos com os rapazes. |