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 | |
---|---|
Don't you think it's too far away from the tube station? | Não acha que é demasiado longe da estação de metrô? |
I'm so sorry about the inconvenience. | Lamento imenso o incômodo. |
The room is spacious and sunny and the bed looks comfortable! | O quarto é espaçoso e soalheiro e a cama parece confortável! |
Anyway, I need to go to the loo as well... | De qualquer modo, eu também preciso de ir no banheiro... |
His name's Sergio. | Ele se chama Sergio. |
I would like to... But I have other things to do... | Eu gostaria... Mas tenho outras coisas para fazer... |
No, actually, he is properly toilet trained. | Não, na verdade ele sabe fazer as necessidades no sítio certo. |
Ta-ta here it is... | Tcharã aqui está... |
I agree, long flights aren't very pleasant. | Concordo, as viagens de avião longas não são muito agradáveis. |
But maybe they are splitting up, I don't know yet. | Mas eles talvez estejam se separando, não sei ainda. |
That's so sad, how old are your parents? | Isso é tão triste, quais as idades de seus pais? |
Because you are in it. | A diferença é que você faz parte dela. |
Is there a knife? | Não há nenhuma faca? |
Yeah, I like having lasagne the day after it's cooked, it tastes better. | Sim, eu gosto de comer lasanha no dia seguinte a cozinhá-la, sabe melhor. |
My husband and I really appreciate it. | Meu marido e eu agradecemos muito. |
I think I did, too, but I've got a really bad headache! | Acho que sim, mas dói-me muito a cabeça! |
That's bad, do you have a cold? | Isso é mau, apanhou um resfriado? |
Did you say Russia? That's unusual! | Você disse Rússia? Isso é invulgar! |
Normally, girls check the wine list for half an hour before they order. | Normalmente as mulheres consultam a lista de vinhos durante meia hora antes de pedirem. |
No, it's the owner, she is an old lady and very strict about that. | Não, é a proprietária, ela é uma senhora idosa e é muito rigorosa quanto a essa questão. |