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 is fine. | Ele está bem. |
Is there a knife? | Não há nenhuma faca? |
Yeah, I think the logo looks much better in the centre, what do you think? | Sim, eu penso que o logótipo fica muito melhor no centro, o que você acha? |
Well, I'm used to getting bad news today, what's that? | Bem, já estou acostumada a receber más notícias hoje, o que é? |
Don't you think two forks are enough for us? | Não acha que dois garfos são suficientes para nós? |
There is no table for you, then! | Então não há mesa para você! |
Is it a single or a double room? | É um quarto individual ou duplo? |
Anyway, I need to go to the loo as well... | De qualquer modo, eu também preciso de ir no banheiro... |
Hey, before you go... | Ei, antes de você ir... |
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. |
5 bedroom detached house on Lyme Street, £2,800, is that right? | Moradia isolada com 5 quartos em Lyme Street, 2800£, é isso? |
Eating leftovers during the week saves me some time. | Comer sobras durante a semana me ajuda a poupar algum tempo. |
I think I've got a better idea about what to do with the bed! | Acho que tive uma ideia melhor sobre o que fazer com a cama! |
But everybody calls him Rocco. | Mas todo mundo o chama de Rocco. |
Hang on, I remember you telling me you never kill animals! | Calma, eu me lembro de você me ter dito que nunca mata animais! |
Can you show me which clothes I need to put away, then? | Pode me mostrar quais roupas preciso de tirar, então? |
Do you want the tray in the middle? | Você quer colocar o tabuleiro no meio? |
Is it because the other tenants don't want pets? | São as outras inquilinas que não querem animais de estimação? |
Where is my f*cking tenner? | Onde estão as minhas dez libras? |
I'm unleashing him now, is that okay for you? | Vou soltá-lo agora, pode ser? |