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 | |
---|---|
But it's my favourite restaurant... | Mas é o meu restaurante favorito... |
The recipe is not from the internet, it's from a Jamie Oliver book. | A receita não está na internet, é de um livro do Jamie Oliver. |
Your perfectly shaped mushrooms are ready! | Seus cogumelos perfeitamente cortados estão prontos! |
Are you with your friends? | Você está com suas amigas? |
Isn't it too early for dinner? | Não é demasiado cedo para jantar? |
But that's true, some Chows are a bit aggressive. | Mas é verdade, alguns Chows são um pouco agressivos. |
Welcome to the Diamond Duck, do you have a reservation, sir? | Bem-vindo a Diamond Duck, tem alguma reserva, senhor? |
I don't think she wants to talk or solve anything! | Eu não penso que ela queira falar ou resolver o que quer que seja! |
Come on, Mike, it's not about me being home. | Por favor, Mike, não se trata de eu estar em casa. |
What’s their name? | Qual o nome dele? |
People take cutlery to their rooms and don't bring it back! | As pessoas levam os talheres para o quarto e não trazem de volta! |
Who is Mike, darling? | Quem é o Mike, querida? |
Thanks father, where is Bear's lead? | Obrigado papai, onde está a trela do Bear? |
Yes, it is, but yours isn't so obvious. | Sim, é, mas o seu não é muito evidente. |
It's still £5 more than the bigger room! | Continua sendo 5£ a mais do que o quarto maior! |
I'd like to one day, when they invent teleportation. | Gostava de ir um dia, quando inventarem o teletransporte. |
I don't think it's hay fever! I believe it's from the cat... | Eu não penso que seja febre do feno! Julgo que seja o gato... |
Why don't you answer your phone? | Por que você não atende o telefone? |
It sounds important. | Parece importante. |
Well, I'm used to getting bad news today, what's that? | Bem, já estou acostumada a receber más notícias hoje, o que é? |