







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 | |
|---|---|
| What else could I do? Do you expect me not to sleep till I die? | 달리 뭘 해야 했는데? 나는 죽을 때 까지 잠도 못 자고 버텨야 했다는 거야? |
| Okay, how long is it, do you know? | 좋아, 얼마나 긴지 혹시 알아? |
| Taking Bear out usually takes me an hour. | 베어 산책 시키려면 한 시간쯤 걸리거든. |
| That's why I never trust quiet people... | 내가 그래서 조용한 사람을 안 믿는 거야... |
| I'm sorry guys, there is no negotiation on the rent! | 미안한데 여러분, 집세로 협상할 마음은 없어요! |
| She could even have been her mum... Who knows? | 그 여자 어머니일 수도 있는 거고... 혹시 모르잖아? |
| What genre do you listen to? | 너는 어떤 장르 들어? |
| Here you can take it, be careful, it's very hot. | 여기 가져가. 조심하고, 뜨거우니까. |
| Yeah, I want to see the bathroom... | 네, 화장실도 좀 봤으면 하는데요... |
| Hang on, I remember you telling me you never kill animals! | 잠깐만, 너 동물은 절대 안 죽인다고 말했던 게 기억나는데! |
| You sound like a mix of British and Australian. | 영국하고 호주가 좀 섞인 느낌인데. |
| Look at the shelf, the price tag says £2.20 a kilo. | 선반을 봐, 가격표에 1kg당 2.20파운드라고 적혀있어. |
| If you are going to ask for money, I don't have any, either. | 돈 빌리려고 그러는 거면, 나도 없어. |
| Yes, she is coming back, but isn't it what I always do? | 응, 돌아온대. 근데 난 항상 청소 하잖아? |
| Is that you, Mike? | 마이크야? |
| Is there anything else I can do for you, love? | 다른 거 필요한 건 없구, 자기? |
| Nope, I don't cook fancy things, only regular dishes. | 아니, 막 대단한 건 안하고, 그냥 평범한 요리만 해. |
| It's a kind of welcoming party for her. | 환영식 비슷하게 하는 거야. |
| Yeah, it is very important for me, actually. | 응, 사실 나한테는 굉장히 중요해. |
| Why? What's wrong? | 왜? 뭐 잘못 됐어? |