







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 | |
|---|---|
| By the way, my name's Mike, what's yours? | 아무튼, 내 이름은 마이크예요. 그쪽은? |
| Australia is very strict with its customs rules. | 호주는 관세규칙이 정말 빡빡하단 말야. |
| How long does the flight usually take? | 비행기 타고 보통 얼마쯤 걸려? |
| He is 70 and my mum is 64. | 아빠는 70이고, 엄마는 64이야. |
| Well, I'm used to getting bad news today, what's that? | 안 좋은 소식이라면 오늘 벌써 익숙해진 참이라서요. 무슨 일인데 그러세요? |
| Is it Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus? | 라이체스터 스퀘어야, 피카딜리 서커스야? |
| Sure, our kitchen is newly refurbished... | 물론이죠, 우리 주방은 새로 리모델링 되었어요... |
| What does Diego do? | 디에고는 무슨 일 해? |
| Maybe I know your friend. | 내가 그쪽 친구 알지도 모르죠. |
| Then I want to roast it, though. | 하지만 그 다음엔 구웠으면 해. |
| I think I'm going to order some duck, it's delicious. | 나는 오리 요리를 시킬까 해, 맛있거든. |
| Yes, that's okay, we are just about to leave. | 응, 괜찮아, 이제 막 뜨려던 참이었어. |
| Yes, the guy with the beard is Mike. | 응, 수염 기른 남자가 마이크야. |
| Hm, okay... I think I got it, is it like Pinocchio? | 흐음, 좋아... 알 것 같아. 피노키오 같은 거네? |
| Hello, I'm very sorry dear, I'm a bit late. | 안녕, 정말 미안해 자기, 내가 좀 늦었지. |
| Let's calculate, I pay 135 per week for one person... | 계산 좀 해보자, 내가 한 사람일 때 주당 135 파운드를 내고... |
| Anyway, do you live around here, too? | 아무튼, 요 근처 사나봐? |
| Unfortunately, I don't have one! Where is yours? | 안타깝게도, 그런 거 없어! 네 건 어딨는데? |
| How is there four of us? | 어떻게 사람이 네 명이 돼? |
| Sorry Mrs. Jones, there is a misunderstanding... | 죄송합니다, 존스 부인, 오해가 있었던 것 같은데요... |