







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 | |
|---|---|
| Erm, I can't work it out, I guess it's more than 150 years old. | 엄, 계산은 안되지만, 150년이 넘는 것 같은데. |
| Okay, maybe it's better for you to have some rest. | 그래, 넌 좀 쉬는 게 나을 수도 있겠어. |
| Yep, she was born in Australia, but her mother is Japanese. | 그럼, 호주에서 태어났지만 어머니가 일본인이셔. |
| I think one room is empty upstairs at the moment. | 윗층에 한 층은 비어있는 것 같아. |
| Absolutely not, while you are working you smoke like a chimney. | 절대 안 되지, 너 작업하는 동안에는 줄담배를 뻑뻑 피우잖아. |
| I hope your friends don't mind. | 친구분들이 신경 안 쓰면 좋겠는데. |
| Yes it is, how are you? | 맞아. 요즘 좀 어때? |
| Where is your school, is it in central London? | 너희 학교 어딨는데? 런던 중앙이야? |
| Toby! This is Cate, she is my... friend, from London. | 토비! 이쪽은 케이트야. 내... 친구야. 런던에서 온. |
| Sorry, I hope it doesn't ruin your childhood memories... | 미안, 어린 시절의 기억이 더럽혀지지 않았길 바라... |
| What's the date today? | 오늘이 며칠이지? |
| And these days, I go to that pub quite often. | 요즘 그 술집에 자주 가요. |
| Yes, sorry, everything seems filthy, but believe me, it's not my fault! | 그래, 미안해. 모든 게 더러워 보이겠지. 하지만 믿어줘, 그게 내 잘못은 아니야! |
| Can your mum handle the situation by herself? | 어머니께서 혼자 이겨내실 수 있으셔? |
| I would like to... But I have other things to do... | 그럼 좋기야 하겠지만... 다른 할 일이 있는데... |
| Okay, it seems they have no aggression towards each other. | 응, 서로한테 공격적으로 굴지는 않는 것 같아. |
| As I said, it's much easier to open with two people. | 말했죠, 두 사람이 하면 훨씬 열기 쉽다고. |
| I know, I thought you might like to have it with her alone. | 아는데, 그 여자랑 단둘이 먹는 게 낫겠다 싶었지. |
| Hi, is your cat okay? | 안녕, 그쪽 고양이는 괜찮아요? |
| Are you sure she is from Australia? | 진짜 호주출신이 맞아? |