







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, it doesn't look clean, do you want me to clean it? | 아니, 안 깨끗해 보여. 내가 닦을까? |
| He's a... Sorry Mike, what do you do? | 뭘 하냐면... 미안한데 마이크, 너 직업이 뭐지? |
| Excuse me ma'am, here is an undamaged packet of rice for you. | 실례하겠습니다, 여기 손상되지 않은 봉투의 쌀을 드릴게요. |
| It's £135 per week! | 일주일에 135파운드! |
| But everybody calls him Rocco. | 다들 로코라고 불러요. |
| Oh, sorry, I also need a grater for the cheese. | 아차, 치즈에 쓸 강판도 필요하다. |
| Look, you can watch the sunset best from this point. | 봐, 여기서 석양이 제일 잘 보여. |
| That's true! How much is your rent? | 하긴 그래! 방값이 얼만데? |
| They are both okay for me. | 둘다 나는 상관없어. |
| And on the ground floor we have easy access to the garden. | 그리고 1층에 살면 정원에 쉽게 드나들 수 있잖아. |
| He wouldn't run away, he just wants to check what's outside. | 도망치려는 건 아냐. 밖에 뭐가 있는지 보고싶어서 이러는 거야. |
| Sorry, I forgot to tell you, you need to turn the tap on very gently. | 미안, 말해주는 걸 깜빡했어. 수도꼭지를 정말 살살 틀어야 돼. |
| I'm sorry for not showing up at your opening. | 오픈 때 못 찾아와서 미안해. |
| So I want to cook as much as I can now. | 그래서 지금 요리할 수 있는만큼 최대한 해두려고. |
| How long does the flight usually take? | 비행기 타고 보통 얼마쯤 걸려? |
| Hello dear, how is it going, do you need any help? | 안녕 자기. 어떻게 돼 가? 필요한 거 있어? |
| So I don't snore everyday... | 그럼 매일 곤다는 건 아니네... |
| Do you know the pub around the corner? | 모퉁이 돌면 나오는 술집 알아요? |
| You don’t look like an English teacher to me. | 영어 선생님처럼 안 생겼는데. |
| Oh my god! It’s almost 12 o’clock. | 아 세상에! 벌써 12시가 다 돼가네. |