







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 | |
|---|---|
| Why? It looks pretty clean to me! | 왜? 이만하면 깨끗해 보이는데! |
| He only does it when he is extremely stressed! | 극도로 스트레스 받을 때만 그러는 거야! |
| Yes, I'm here waiting for good news. | 네, 좋은 소식 기다리고 있어요. |
| You look much younger than that. | 그것보다 한참 어려보이는데. |
| But we have to be quick, I don't have much time. | 하지만 서둘러야 돼, 별로 시간이 없어서. |
| I searched: does Pinocchio know he is not a real boy. | 피노키오는 자기가 진짜 아이가 아니라는 걸 아나요, 라고 검색했어. |
| Do you really think it looks like we have a cleaner? | 정말 청소부가 있는 것처럼 보여? |
| Do you go to the Windmill often? | 윈드밀 자주 가요? |
| I want to be sober and energetic for tomorrow. | 내일을 위해 오늘은 멀쩡한 정신으로 에너지를 아껴두고 싶어서. |
| You were explaining why you are here at 07:30 in the morning. | 아침 7시 반에 왜 왔는지 설명하던 중이었죠. |
| I have no idea... But I hope they have a good excuse! | 전혀 모르겠지만... 말이 되는 핑계거리가 있는 사람이길 바라! |
| Who the f*ck is that, what's the time? | 뭐하는 새X야 저건, 지금 몇 시야? |
| If you are going to ask for money, I don't have any, either. | 돈 빌리려고 그러는 거면, 나도 없어. |
| Do you think electric stoves are better? | 전기 스토브가 가스레인지보다 낫다고 생각해? |
| But... I'm not good at lying... | 그치만... 나 거짓말 잘 못하는데... |
| In the recipe it says 600g. | 레시피에는 600g이래. |
| Sorry, I hope it doesn't ruin your childhood memories... | 미안, 어린 시절의 기억이 더럽혀지지 않았길 바라... |
| My lovely wife always tells me how good your spring rolls are. | 제 사랑스러운 아내가 언제나 이 집 춘권을 칭찬한답니다. |
| I'm on my way to Brighton, nearly there! | 브라이튼에 거의 다 도착했어! |
| I am half-British and half-Australian. | 영국하고 호주가 반반 섞인 거지. |