







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 | |
|---|---|
| I hope you are aware it's your last 3 days to find a house... | 집 구할 수 있는 날이 사흘 밖에 안 남았다는 건 너도 알겠지만... |
| How are you? | 너는 어때? |
| I only have 3 hours today. | 오늘은 3시간만 하면 돼. |
| Do they weigh them here or at the checkout? | 여기서 저울 달면 돼, 아니면 계산대로 가야 해? |
| I'm really amazed by the structure of this station. | 이 역 구조가 정말 대단한걸. |
| Yes, it is, but yours isn't so obvious. | 그건 맞지만, 네 억양은 그렇게 세진 않아. |
| Hi, is your cat okay? | 안녕, 그쪽 고양이는 괜찮아요? |
| That's nice, what do you usually cook? | 멋지다. 보통 어떤 걸 요리해? |
| Do you like them with or without the skin on? | 닭껍질은 있는 게 좋아, 없는 게 좋아? |
| Sorry, madam, Friday is one of our busiest nights! | 죄송합니다, 부인, 금요일 저녁은 제일 바쁜 시간 중 하나라서요! |
| She could even have been her mum... Who knows? | 그 여자 어머니일 수도 있는 거고... 혹시 모르잖아? |
| Well, instead of chicken you can try the duck, it's yummy! | 그럼, 닭 대신에 오리를 먹어보면 되지, 맛있다니까! |
| I guess mine is older than yours! | 내가 좋아하는 영화가 네 것보다 오래된 거 같은데! |
| But it's my favourite restaurant... | 제가 제일 좋아하는 레스토랑인데... |
| Why don't you answer your phone? | 전화는 왜 안 받았어? |
| Umm, Dick is here, dear, he is the landlord... | 음, 니기미씨가 왔는데, 집주인이셔... |
| That's bad, do you have a cold? | 저런, 안됐어요, 감기에 걸린 거예요? |
| So I want to cook as much as I can now. | 그래서 지금 요리할 수 있는만큼 최대한 해두려고. |
| That's where Diego works, too! | 디에고도 거기서 일하는데! |
| Cate, are you okay? You seem a little bit aggressive. | 케이트, 괜찮아? 좀 날카로워 보인다. |