







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 | |
|---|---|
| Do you mean Rebecca and Cecilia? | 레베카랑 세실리아 말야? |
| Mike, it is a continent! | 마이크, '처럼'이 아니라 대륙 맞아! |
| Is that what you want to do? | 그러고 싶다는 얘기야? |
| Yeah, you are right, it's more useful when you have less things. | 그렇네, 네 말이 맞아. 물건이 적을 때 더 유용하지. |
| It's more than enough, I need some garlic, also. | 아주 충분해. 그리고 마늘도 좀 필요한데. |
| Of course, here you go, this is the bathroom. | 물론이죠, 자요, 이게 화장실이에요. |
| Oh sorry dear, my husband has some difficulties hearing... | 아유, 미안해라, 우리 남편이 귀가 안 좋아서요... |
| Hmm.. yes, we get on really well. | 흠... 네, 둘이 잘 맞아요. |
| My meeting starts at one o'clock. | 내 미팅은 1시에 시작해. |
| He is the bartender. | 거기 바텐더예요. |
| But that's true, some Chows are a bit aggressive. | 하지만 사실이긴 해, 어떤 차우차우들은 좀 공격적이지. |
| All of my work is in that laptop and I don't have any backup! | 내가 작업한 거 다 거기 있고, 난 백업파일 없단 말야! |
| The cat is not actually mine, it's my girlfriend's cat. | 그 고양이는 내게 아니에요, 내 여자친구 고양이죠. |
| It's a kind of welcoming party for her. | 환영식 비슷하게 하는 거야. |
| Is it Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus? | 라이체스터 스퀘어야, 피카딜리 서커스야? |
| Thanks for being thoughtful, dear. | 신경 써줘서 고마워, 자기. |
| Isn't it faster taking the tube? | 지하철이 더 빠르지 않아? |
| Hello guys, you must be Cate, I'm Joseph. | 안녕하세요, 그쪽이 케이트군요. 난 조셉이에요. |
| Do we have any paper towels? | 우리 종이타월 있어? |
| Oh Jesus Christ... I get it now! That's disgusting... | 아 하나님 맙소사... 이제 알겠다! 더러워 진짜... |