







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 | |
|---|---|
| Anyway, I need to go to the loo as well... | 글구, 화장실도 좀 써야 되겠고... |
| I can bring him with me when I come back for breakfast. | 아침 먹으러 돌아오는 길에 내가 데려올 수 있어. |
| I didn't say it's your fault, but it's your turn now... | 네 잘못이라고는 안 했지, 하지만 차례를 돌릴 때는 되었어... |
| That's nice, the cupboards look good, the bench is okay... | 좋네요, 찬장도 좋아보이고, 식탁도 괜찮고... |
| No, it's the owner, she is an old lady and very strict about that. | 그게 아니라, 집주인이, 나이 드신 할머니신데 동물에 관해 꽤나 깐깐하세요. |
| Do you have any relatives in London? | 런던에 친척은 없어? |
| As I'm a smoker, I prefer sitting outside. | 나는 흡연자라서 바깥을 선호하긴 해. |
| Hmm.. yes, I need mushrooms, stock, celery... | 으음... 맞아, 버섯하고, 육수, 셀러리... |
| Watch out for the 3rd step, it's not very stable. | 계단에 세번째 발판 조심해요, 고정이 잘 안돼있으니까. |
| Well, that's another problem! | 그러니까 문제란 말이지! |
| Hmm... actually, we have to boil it. | 음... 실은, 삶아야 돼. |
| Then I want to roast it, though. | 하지만 그 다음엔 구웠으면 해. |
| Mike! You can't use people's stuff without asking! | 마이크! 남의 걸 허락도 없이 쓰면 어떡해! |
| But I don't know him well. | 잘 아는 사이는 아니네. |
| Here we go, I'm sure it means they pay much less. | 들통나셨네, 그러니까 훨씬 적게 낸다는 말 아녜요. |
| Hey Mike, you look so worried! | 어이 마이크, 얼굴에 걱정이 가득한데! |
| Why don't you get it then? Do you want to see upstairs or not? | 그럼 그 집으로 하지 그래요? 위층은 볼 거예요 말 거예요? |
| How old are you? | 그쪽은 몇살? |
| I'm sorry but I have bad news about the room... | 미안하지만 방 관련해서 안 좋은 소식이 있어서... |
| How are you? | 너는 어때? |