







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 | |
|---|---|
| It's not for me, it's for the rice, dear! | 내가 마시려는 게 아니라, 쌀에 넣으려고 그래! |
| I am half-British and half-Australian. | 영국하고 호주가 반반 섞인 거지. |
| No worries, I have got a peeler for you! | 걱정마, 여기 감자깎이가 있어! |
| What kind of trick is that? | 잔꾀라니 무슨 소리야? |
| Oh hello... I forgot to mention, it's also a very special occasion... | 아 안녕하세요... 제가 말하는 걸 깜빡했는데요, 엄청 중요한 날이라서요... |
| You never pick Bear's poo up from the pavement. | 너 길에서 베어 똥 절대 안 줍잖아. |
| They don't usually work after ten o'clock. | 밤 10시 지나면 보통 끝나거든. |
| Hello my friend, how are you? | 안녕 친구, 어떻게 지내셨나? |
| What kind of music do you like the most? | 너는 어떤 음악 제일 좋아해? |
| Anyway, I need to go to the loo as well... | 글구, 화장실도 좀 써야 되겠고... |
| Let's calculate, I pay 135 per week for one person... | 계산 좀 해보자, 내가 한 사람일 때 주당 135 파운드를 내고... |
| Erm, we don't have any, but there is someone else's bread. | 음, 내 건 없는데, 남의 빵은 있지. |
| But it has expired and it has a hole in it. | 근데 유통기한이 지났고 구멍이 나 있어요. |
| Because we know them and have their mobile numbers? | 왜냐면 우리랑 아는 사이고 휴대폰 번호도 알고 있으니까요? |
| In the recipe it says 600g. | 레시피에는 600g이래. |
| 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? |
| I've finally completed it and tomorrow is the big day! | 드디어 완성했으니, 내일이 결전의 날이야! |
| Why don't you answer your phone? | 전화는 왜 안 받았어? |
| I'm really sorry about that! | 정말 미안해! |
| My beard makes me look older, I think. | 아무래도 수염 때문에 더 나이가 들어보이나봐. |