







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 | |
|---|---|
| We don't have that system in Brighton yet. | 브라이튼에는 아직 그 시스템이 없어서. |
| You need to change planes at some point on the way. | 그래서 도중에 경유를 해야 돼. |
| Hmm, I guess it's a bit old, but it's still my favourite. | 흠, 좀 고전이긴 하지만, 그래도 내가 제일 좋아하는 작품은. |
| Depends on where you look. | 어디를 알아보느냐에 달려있지. |
| I think we should wait for a while till all that smoke disappears. | 연기가 다 사라질 때 까지 좀 기다려야 할 것 같아. |
| It's like, the bus you are waiting for never comes. | 요컨대, 기다리던 버스는 절대 안 오지. |
| But which button? It doesn't show which controls which! | 어느 버튼? 뭐가 뭘 조절하는지 안 나와있는데! |
| Okay, so do you want me to make 3 serves? | 좋아, 그럼 3인분을 만들면 되는 거지? |
| I see, I love cooking! | 그렇구나. 난 요리 정말 좋아하는데! |
| As a result, he starts pooping and peeing all over the house. | 결국 온 사방에 똥이랑 오줌을 갈겨버리는 거지. |
| Oh, sorry, I also need a grater for the cheese. | 아차, 치즈에 쓸 강판도 필요하다. |
| Mike, teriyaki is Japanese, we are at a Chinese restaurant. | 마이크, 데리야끼는 일본식이고, 우리는 중국식 레스토랑에 와 있다구. |
| Look, there is a shop assistant. | 봐, 저기 가게 종업원이 있다. |
| That's a good choice, they do great calamari here, too. | 좋은 선택이야. 여기 오징어도 굉장히 맛있거든. |
| I don't like violence in real life, I only like it in movies. | 현실에서 폭력은 싫지, 영화에서만 좋아하는 거야. |
| Look at the shelf, the price tag says £2.20 a kilo. | 선반을 봐, 가격표에 1kg당 2.20파운드라고 적혀있어. |
| Come on, don't cry, she is just a stupid girl! | 그러지 말고, 울지 마, 그냥 저 여자가 이상한 거야! |
| I think Diego and I are the only smokers in the house. | 내 생각에 디에고랑 나 밖에 없는 거 같아. |
| The packets have 2 pieces in them. | 이 패키지에는 두 조각이 들었어. |
| Right! Who wants chardonnay, then? | 좋아! 그럼 샤르도네 마실 사람은? |