







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 | |
|---|---|
| I guess he wants to drink some water. | 물이나 좀 마시고 싶은 모양이야. |
| Yeah, it's open here already... | 그럼, 벌써 여기 열어뒀는걸... |
| Mike! You can't use people's stuff without asking! | 마이크! 남의 걸 허락도 없이 쓰면 어떡해! |
| Well, I hope he doesn't keep on pooping all around the house! | 흠, 온사방에 똥을 누고 다니지만 않으면 좋을텐데! |
| It's very difficult for me to go there more than once a year. | 1년에 한 번 이상 가는 건 너무 어려운 일이라서. |
| No, what is that? | 뭔데? |
| And Pogo gets very scared of the crowd and the noise. | 그러면 포고가 사람들이랑 소리 때문에 엄청 겁을 먹는다구. |
| Look at the shelf, the price tag says £2.20 a kilo. | 선반을 봐, 가격표에 1kg당 2.20파운드라고 적혀있어. |
| Pogo still hates coming to the vet, though! | 포고야 여전히 동물병원 가는 걸 질색하지만! |
| These days I'm into 60's, 70's remixes. | 요즘은 60년대나 70년대 리믹스가 좋아. |
| Do you want me to slice the mushrooms for you? | 버섯 썰어 줄까? |
| Actually, it's quite urgent for me. | 사실 저한테 꽤 급한 일이지만. |
| What's the date today? | 오늘이 며칠이지? |
| Her name is Ayumi! | 이름은 아유미야! |
| I've finally completed it and tomorrow is the big day! | 드디어 완성했으니, 내일이 결전의 날이야! |
| Isn't it faster taking the tube? | 지하철이 더 빠르지 않아? |
| Is your father sick? | 아버지가 아프셔? |
| Aren't there four of us dear? | 우리는 사람이 네 명이잖아? |
| Bear hates being at a vet, too. | 베어도 동물병원 오는 걸 싫어하는데. |
| That's extreme, I don't think we have a mortar and pestle. | 그런 극단적인 요구가 있나, 사발하고 막자는 없을 텐데. |