







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 | |
|---|---|
| Hi girls, this is Mike. | 안녕, 친구들. 이쪽은 마이크. |
| Then I want to roast it, though. | 하지만 그 다음엔 구웠으면 해. |
| Well, maybe we can get a 2 bedroom flat. What do you think? | 음, 침실이 2개인 아파트를 구할 수 있을지도 몰라. 어떻게 생각해? |
| The rest of the house is okay, but the kitchen is a bit dirty. | 집 나머지는 괜찮은데, 부엌은 좀 더럽다. |
| I think so, he can look around while Bear is not here. | 그게 좋겠어, 베어가 없는 동안 주변 좀 둘러볼 수 있도록. |
| Until you just light your cigarette. | 담배에 불 붙일 때 까지는. |
| Let me check... when is best for you? | 확인해보죠... 언제 보러 오시겠어요? |
| No, what is that? | 뭔데? |
| Nope, it gives me a headache! | 싫어, 머리가 지끈지끈하다구! |
| That's not nice, Mike! | 마이크, 그러면 안되지! |
| You are so realistic dear, where is your wedding ring? | 실감이 정말 넘쳐나, 자기, 결혼 반지는 어디 있어? |
| It's very difficult for me to go there more than once a year. | 1년에 한 번 이상 가는 건 너무 어려운 일이라서. |
| Maybe I get a bit moody on the first day of my period. | 생리 첫 날에는 좀 기분이 왔다갔다 하기는 해. |
| These days I'm into 60's, 70's remixes. | 요즘은 60년대나 70년대 리믹스가 좋아. |
| Hang on a minute, they are both 300 gr and the same brand. | 잠시만, 둘다 300그램에 같은 브랜드인데. |
| Do we have a sieve? | 우리 체 있어? |
| My housemates don't clean anything in the kitchen. | 우리 하우스메이트들은 부엌에 있는 건 아무것도 안 치운다구. |
| Sometimes he doesn't even recognize my mum. | 어떨 때는 우리 엄마조차 못 알아봐. |
| Erm... They pay 170 weekly. | 음... 매 주 170파운드를 내요. |
| Is there a garlic crusher, then? | 그럼 마늘 분쇄기는 없어? |