







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 | |
|---|---|
| Yes, I have got two sisters. | 우리집은 딸만 셋이야. |
| Are you going to say sorry for saying I am stupid then? | 그럼 나더러 멍청하다고 한 거에 대해 사과해주겠어? |
| You are very funny mate. | 아주 재치가 넘치시네요, 이 친구. |
| Bear hates being at a vet, too. | 베어도 동물병원 오는 걸 싫어하는데. |
| I'm on my way to Brighton, nearly there! | 브라이튼에 거의 다 도착했어! |
| Don't you think two forks are enough for us? | 포크 두 개면 충분하지 않아? |
| What about that table? It looks better. | 저 테이블은 안되나요? 더 좋아보이는데. |
| Of course! It's my favourite pub. | 당연하죠! 내가 제일 좋아하는 술집인데. |
| Do we have to do that every time we need to open the door? | 문을 열 때마다 방금처럼 해야 하는 거예요? |
| Do you want me to get you a glass of wine? | 와인 한 잔이라도 줄까? |
| Isn't it too early for dinner? | 저녁 먹기에는 너무 이르지 않아? |
| Is there a garlic crusher, then? | 그럼 마늘 분쇄기는 없어? |
| Are you really asking me that question? | 지금 정말 나한테 그걸 물어보겠다는 거야? |
| How old are you? | 그쪽은 몇살? |
| I don't understand why they call it a bank holiday. | 공휴일을 왜 뱅크 홀리데이라고 부르는지 모르겠어. |
| It looks like you've got some experience with coffee. | 커피를 꽤 잘 아는 것 같아 보이는걸. |
| No, I don't have one! | 아뇨, 없어요! |
| I don't think she wants to talk or solve anything! | 얘기하거나 뭘 해결하려는 마음인 거 같지도 않아! |
| I hate them buzzing around my ear all night long and waking me up. | 밤 새도록 귓가에 앵앵거리면서 날 못 자도록 하는 게 딱 질색이야. |
| Yes, he is totally fine after resting for a while. | 응, 좀 쉬고 나더니 완전 괜찮아졌어. |