







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. |
| Sorry, I hope it doesn't ruin your childhood memories... | 미안, 어린 시절의 기억이 더럽혀지지 않았길 바라... |
| Unfortunately, she is a teenager, she is 19! | 안타깝지만, 십대가 맞아. 19살이니까! |
| Sure, my name is Cate and my number is 077... | 그럼요, 제 이름은 케이트고 번호는 077... |
| No, I'm not lying! I never lie. | 거짓말 아냐! 난 거짓말 안해. |
| I'm just teasing you, dear, 200 degrees is okay! | 좀 놀려봤어요, 자기. 200도면 돼! |
| I'm really amazed by the structure of this station. | 이 역 구조가 정말 대단한걸. |
| Anyway, this is Cate and her friends from work. | 아무튼, 이쪽은 케이트랑 직장 동료분들. |
| You are right, is there anything you want me to buy on the way? | 네 말이 맞네. 내가 가는 길에 뭐 사갈 거 있어? |
| By the way, I like the colour of the walls... What do you think? | 그건 그렇고, 벽지 색깔 예쁘다. 어때? |
| I'm on my way to Brighton, nearly there! | 브라이튼에 거의 다 도착했어! |
| Is your dog a Chow Chow? | 그쪽 개는 차우차우예요? |
| It makes all of our clothes stink! | 그럼 옷가지에 다 냄새가 밸 거 아냐! |
| Where are you? | 지금 어디야? |
| Australia is very strict with its customs rules. | 호주는 관세규칙이 정말 빡빡하단 말야. |
| You need to change planes at some point on the way. | 그래서 도중에 경유를 해야 돼. |
| I'm so sorry, but we need to cancel our meeting today. | 정말 미안한데, 오늘 회의 취소해야 할 것 같아. |
| Hello Mike, not much, how are you? | 안녕 마이크, 별 건 아니고, 어떻게 지내? |
| I have two more lessons, I finish at three thirty. | 수업 두 개 남았으니까, 3시 30분에 마쳐. |
| What about that table? It looks better. | 저 테이블은 안되나요? 더 좋아보이는데. |