







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 | |
|---|---|
| It's not a big deal but it's quite an important thing to mention. | 나한테 중요한 일은 아니어도 말해줄 만큼은 중요한 일인 거잖아. |
| Hmm... actually, we have to boil it. | 음... 실은, 삶아야 돼. |
| Well this is how it is... do you want to see upstairs? | 글쎄, 그렇게 돼있는 걸 어쩌겠어요. 위층도 보겠어요? |
| Don't you think two forks are enough for us? | 포크 두 개면 충분하지 않아? |
| Sure, our kitchen is newly refurbished... | 물론이죠, 우리 주방은 새로 리모델링 되었어요... |
| Are they older or younger? | 언니, 아니면 동생? |
| Nope, I don't cook fancy things, only regular dishes. | 아니, 막 대단한 건 안하고, 그냥 평범한 요리만 해. |
| I've got a meeting with some people. | 사람들하고 미팅 잡힌 게 있어서. |
| Yes, there are some knives, too. | 응, 나이프도 좀 있어. |
| There is no table for you, then! | 그럼 자리 못 구하는 거지, 뭐! |
| He looks like he is interested in you! | 너한테 관심있는거 같은데! |
| It's too fruity. | 너무 과일향 나. |
| Hey, there is a stranger in the toilet, who is he? | 어라, 화장실에 모르는 사람이 있는데, 누구지? |
| Is that right? | 맞지? |
| Unfortunately, she is a teenager, she is 19! | 안타깝지만, 십대가 맞아. 19살이니까! |
| Diego, do you want me to get you anything to eat? | 디에고, 뭐 먹을 거 갖다줄까? |
| I think one room is empty upstairs at the moment. | 윗층에 한 층은 비어있는 것 같아. |
| Erm, I can't work it out, I guess it's more than 150 years old. | 엄, 계산은 안되지만, 150년이 넘는 것 같은데. |
| So I want to cook as much as I can now. | 그래서 지금 요리할 수 있는만큼 최대한 해두려고. |
| Yes, it's in Piccadilly Circus right in the centre. | 응, 딱 중앙에 피카딜리 서커스에 있어. |