







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 | |
|---|---|
| No, she is totally fine, thankfully. | 아니, 다행히도 엄마는 쌩쌩해. |
| Because I'm sure they don't serve bugs in London! | 런던에서 벌레를 팔 리가 없잖아! |
| Ah, I'm very sorry, but we're fully booked tonight! | 아, 무척 죄송하지만 오늘 저녁은 만석이라서요! |
| Hey, Cate! Do you need anything? | 이야, 케이트! 뭐 필요한 거 있어? |
| Yeah, it's normal, he even hisses at my new socks sometimes! | 응, 정상이야. 어떨 땐 새로 산 양말에도 하악질 하니까! |
| I mean, you don't live here with anyone from your family. | 그러니까, 가족 중에 아무도 여기서 같이 안 사는 거구나. |
| It's almost 09:30. | 거의 9시 반 다 됐어. |
| Yeah, he is keen on moving house... | 응, 옮기고 싶어하는 마음이 있는데... |
| Do you like train rides, too? | 기차 타는 것도 좋아해? |
| Is that right? | 맞지? |
| Good thanks, I'm fine, too. | 다행이네. 나도 잘 지내. |
| Of course, here you go, this is the bathroom. | 물론이죠, 자요, 이게 화장실이에요. |
| His name's Sergio. | 세르지오인데. |
| Hello, I'm very sorry dear, I'm a bit late. | 안녕, 정말 미안해 자기, 내가 좀 늦었지. |
| Isn't it faster taking the tube? | 지하철이 더 빠르지 않아? |
| Yes, of course I remember. | 아, 당연히 기억하지. |
| My friend noted here it is your wedding anniversary! | 동료가 적어놓기를 두분 결혼기념일이시라구요! |
| Can you show me which clothes I need to put away, then? | 내가 어느 옷들 치우면 될지 먼저 알려줄 수 있어? |
| I'm sorry to say there is nothing very exciting. | 그렇게 두근거리는 건 아니라서 미안하게 됐어. |
| Look at the shelf, the price tag says £2.20 a kilo. | 선반을 봐, 가격표에 1kg당 2.20파운드라고 적혀있어. |