







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 | |
|---|---|
| Eating leftovers during the week saves me some time. | 주중에는 남은 요리만 먹어도 시간을 좀 벌 수 있어. |
| Why? I never put a question mark when I search something! | 그걸 왜? 뭐 검색할 때 물음표 찍은 적 한번도 없어! |
| I am planning to sleep in a bit since it's a holiday. | 휴일이라 좀 늦잠 자려고 했거든. |
| Do you need to wake up early tomorrow or something? | 내일 일찍 일어난다든가 해야 돼? |
| I think that *hand caught on fire* thing is a joke! | 손에 불이 붙었다는 거 농담 같단 말야! |
| And he looks about 3 years old now. | 그런데 고양이가 지금 딱 세 살쯤 돼보이니까. |
| It's more than enough, I need some garlic, also. | 아주 충분해. 그리고 마늘도 좀 필요한데. |
| The rice section is over there. | 쌀 코너는 저쪽에 있어. |
| Of course! It's my favourite pub. | 당연하죠! 내가 제일 좋아하는 술집인데. |
| Thanks for warning me now, that's very helpful! | 이제야 말해 줘서 고마워, 정말 도움이 되네! |
| Okay, what temperature do you want me to set it at? | 좋아, 몇 도로 설정하면 되겠어? |
| It's like there's evil hidden inside them! | 속에 무슨 마귀라도 숨겨놓은 거 같다구! |
| Girls, this is Diego. | 아가씨들, 얘는 디에고예요. |
| Do you live around here? | 이 주변 살아요? |
| Okay, here we are, this is Honeybrook Street. | 그래, 그럼 자, 여기가 허니브룩 스트릿이야. |
| I'm really sorry to hear that, mate! | 아이고, 그건 정말 유감이네! |
| Yes, Bear eats one and a half cats everyday for breakfast. | 맞아. 베어는 아침마다 1.5마리의 고양이를 먹어치운다구. |
| But which button? It doesn't show which controls which! | 어느 버튼? 뭐가 뭘 조절하는지 안 나와있는데! |
| Yeah, that's a good idea! | 응, 그거 좋은 생각인데! |
| But that's true, some Chows are a bit aggressive. | 하지만 사실이긴 해, 어떤 차우차우들은 좀 공격적이지. |