







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 | |
|---|---|
| Erm... They pay 170 weekly. | 음... 매 주 170파운드를 내요. |
| We're out tonight for Laura. | 오늘은 로라를 위해 나온 거야. |
| I'm on my way to Brighton, nearly there! | 브라이튼에 거의 다 도착했어! |
| Did I? I don't know... What is it? | 그래? 몰라... 뭘 깜빡했지? |
| The packets have 2 pieces in them. | 이 패키지에는 두 조각이 들었어. |
| So, I guess you are from Australia. | 넌 호주 출신인가봐. |
| If you are going to ask for money, I don't have any, either. | 돈 빌리려고 그러는 거면, 나도 없어. |
| Oh sorry, unfortunately, that one is reserved. | 아, 죄송하지만 저 테이블은 예약석입니다. |
| Let me check, we only need butter. | 보자, 버터만 더 있으면 돼. |
| I'm a bit paranoid about it. | 약간 편집증이 생겨버렸지 뭐야. |
| I want to try the sauvignon blanc. | 난 소비뇽 블랑 한 번 마셔보고 싶어. |
| But before we go, can you call them and ask if they are okay with pets? | 하지만 가기 전에, 전화 해서 그 사람들은 반려동물 신경 안 쓰는지 물어봐줄래? |
| Really? Sade is one of my favourites, too. | 정말? 나도 샤데이 엄청 좋아해. |
| I can't believe you still don't get it! | 아직도 모르겠다니 믿기질 않네! |
| Hello Mike, not much, how are you? | 안녕 마이크, 별 건 아니고, 어떻게 지내? |
| Who knows, I consider it as nothing more than a hobby. | 글쎄, 그냥 취미로 여기고 있긴 한데. |
| You are very funny mate. | 아주 재치가 넘치시네요, 이 친구. |
| I am, I have to be there at 12:30. | 해야 돼. 12시 반까지 가야 해. |
| I feel hungry, too. | 나도 배고파. |
| Hello, is that Cate? | 여보세요, 케이트야? |