







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 | |
|---|---|
| Does anyone else want something to drink? | 술 더 드실 분? |
| Erm, I can't work it out, I guess it's more than 150 years old. | 엄, 계산은 안되지만, 150년이 넘는 것 같은데. |
| He must be sleeping, he usually works at night, too. | 자고 있는 모양이다, 걔도 주로 밤에 일하거든. |
| Plus the bathroom and the kitchen are clean. | 그리고 화장실이랑 부엌도 깨끗하고요. |
| I don't have time to cook everyday. | 매일 요리할 시간이 없어. |
| Okay, who sings it? | 좋아, 누가 부르는데? |
| Thank you, see you there on Saturday at 13:00. | 감사합니다, 토요일 오후 1시에 뵐게요. |
| Erm, by the way, since we are on the subject... | 어, 근데 말이지, 말 나온 김에 말인데... |
| My cat is in the garden. | 내 고양이가 정원에 있거든요. |
| It's impossible for me to commute from zone-9 to 1 everyday. | 런던 9구역에서 1구역까지 매일 통근하는 건 나한테 불가능한 일이야. |
| How much garlic do you want? | 마늘은 얼마나 있으면 되겠어? |
| I have an appointment with the home office for my visa extension. | 비자 연장하러 내무부에 가기로 약속 잡아놨어. |
| So does that mean you don't want to stay with me? | 그럼 네가 나랑 더 이상 같이 있기 싫다는 뜻이 되는 거야? |
| Sorry to ask, but are you on your period or something? | 물어봐서 미안하지만, 현재 생리 중이거나 한 거야? |
| I need to use chicken stock for the risotto! | 리조또를 만들려면 닭 육수를 써야 해! |
| That's why they're 50% off. | 그러니까 50%를 깎았지. |
| Does anyone else need anything? | 다른 거 또 필요한 사람? |
| Yes, I can hear you, but I don't understand! | 그래, 말은 들리는데, 이해가 안돼! |
| I agree, long flights aren't very pleasant. | 그건 맞아, 비행기 오래 타는 건 별로 즐거운 경험이 아니지. |
| Hi girls, this is Mike. | 안녕, 친구들. 이쪽은 마이크. |