







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 | |
|---|---|
| Maybe I know your friend. | 내가 그쪽 친구 알지도 모르죠. |
| Hello Mike, not much, how are you? | 안녕 마이크, 별 건 아니고, 어떻게 지내? |
| Those kind of irresponsible people make me angry! | 그렇게 무책임한 사람들을 보면 화가 난단 말이지! |
| No, but it's not good for him to take the stairs up and down everyday. | 그렇진 않아, 하지만 매일 계단을 오르락내리락하는 건 좋지 않아서. |
| Hello, is that Cate? | 여보세요, 케이트야? |
| Yes, it's in Piccadilly Circus right in the centre. | 응, 딱 중앙에 피카딜리 서커스에 있어. |
| He is 70 and my mum is 64. | 아빠는 70이고, 엄마는 64이야. |
| There is one at 11:00 and the next one is at 11:20. | 11시에 하나 있고, 그 다음 건 12시 차야. |
| It definitely costs a lot, but that's not the only problem. | 돈도 돈이지만, 문제가 그것만은 아냐. |
| Is there a knife? | 나이프는 있어? |
| Oh yeah, it's our girls' night out tonight. | 아 응, 오늘 여자들끼리 놀러 나온 거야. |
| Yes it is, how are you? | 맞아. 요즘 좀 어때? |
| Don't worry Mike, I think this one is better. | 걱정마, 마이크. 난 이쪽이 더 좋아. |
| Erm... You look about 30? | 흠... 한 서른 정도? |
| Yes, I still don't do it. | 그래, 그건 지금도 마찬가지야. |
| Maybe she really is allergic to cats, we don't know that. | 정말 고양이한테 알레르기가 있어서 그럴 수도 있지, 그건 모르는 거야. |
| Does anyone else need anything? | 다른 거 또 필요한 사람? |
| Sorry, I hope it doesn't ruin your childhood memories... | 미안, 어린 시절의 기억이 더럽혀지지 않았길 바라... |
| It's like, the bus you are waiting for never comes. | 요컨대, 기다리던 버스는 절대 안 오지. |
| I'm really sorry about that! | 정말 미안해! |