







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 | |
|---|---|
| People take cutlery to their rooms and don't bring it back! | 사람들이 수저를 방으로 가져가놓곤 가지고 오지를 않아! |
| How dare he... He is so stupid!!! | 어떻게 감히... 정말 몰지각한 사람이야!!! |
| The recipe is not from the internet, it's from a Jamie Oliver book. | 인터넷에서 긁은 게 아니라, 제이미 올리버 책에서 찾은 거라구. |
| Yeah, that's a good idea. | 오, 좋은 생각인데. |
| Well, instead of chicken you can try the duck, it's yummy! | 그럼, 닭 대신에 오리를 먹어보면 되지, 맛있다니까! |
| Hello, my name is Mike, I'm Cate's boyfriend... | 안녕하세요, 제 이름은 마이크고요, 케이트의 남자친구... |
| They don't usually work after ten o'clock. | 밤 10시 지나면 보통 끝나거든. |
| But I think that's only for older women. | 그건 나이가 있으신 여성분들 경우라고 생각하니까. |
| Hi girls, this is Mike. | 안녕, 친구들. 이쪽은 마이크. |
| It's not a nice thing to do. | 그건 좋은 행동이 아닌걸. |
| Is that okay for you? | 그럼 되겠어? |
| I don't like smoking in the kitchen. | 난 부엌에서 담배 피는 거 싫어. |
| It's £135 per week! | 일주일에 135파운드! |
| Okay, so what's our plan now? | 그래, 그럼 이제 뭐 할까? |
| Do you mean Rebecca and Cecilia? | 레베카랑 세실리아 말야? |
| I guess so, but I want to finish seeing all the houses today. | 그렇긴 해도, 집 알아보는 거 오늘 다 끝내고 싶어서. |
| The recipe is for 6 people. | 레시피는 6인분이야. |
| He must be sleeping, he usually works at night, too. | 자고 있는 모양이다, 걔도 주로 밤에 일하거든. |
| I'm hungry, but it's better to have something when we meet the guys. | 나도 배 고프지만, 걔네랑 같이 먹는 게 나으니까. |
| Don't worry Mike, I think this one is better. | 걱정마, 마이크. 난 이쪽이 더 좋아. |