







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 | |
|---|---|
| Okay, how much salt do you want me to add? | Certo, quanto sal você quer que eu coloque? |
| I hope it's not the right address! It looks awful. | Eu espero que não seja a morada certa! Tem um aspeto horrível. |
| I'm really sorry, what kind of sickness is it? | Lamento muito, que tipo de doença é? |
| Is there a garlic crusher, then? | Tem um esmagador de alho então? |
| I'm sorry to say there is nothing very exciting. | Lamento dizer que não é nada extraordinário. |
| But he hisses occasionally, is it normal? | Mas ele bufa ocasionalmente, é normal? |
| Eating leftovers during the week saves me some time. | Comer sobras durante a semana me ajuda a poupar algum tempo. |
| Yeah, it's a very popular restaurant. | Sim, é um restaurante muito famoso. |
| Is it because it's too violent? | É por ser demasiado violento? |
| My sisters live nearby, they help her sometimes. | Minhas irmãs vivem perto, elas ajudam-na às vezes. |
| How dare he... He is so stupid!!! | Como ele se atreve... Ele é tão estúpido!!! |
| What’s their name? | Qual o nome dele? |
| I don't know, maximum 33? | Eu não sei, no máximo, 33? |
| Is the first one washing the dishes or cleaning? | A primeira é lavar os pratos ou limpar? |
| When I have free time. | Quando eu tenho tempo livre. |
| Good boy, Beary! See, he is just a little friend. | Lindo menino Beary! Vê, ele é apenas um amiguinho. |
| I wish you all the best. | Desejo a todas o melhor. |
| No, I won't... I don't want a house in Mayfair anymore! | Não, não verifico... Eu não quero mais uma casa em Mayfair! |
| I want to try the sauvignon blanc. | Eu quero experimentar o Sauvignon Blanc. |
| Of course, oh, there is a half-eaten pizza in the oven. | Claro, oh, está uma pizza meio comida no forno. |