







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 | |
|---|---|
| Erm... While your hands are already dirty... | 음... 이미 손을 버린 김에... |
| You never pick Bear's poo up from the pavement. | 너 길에서 베어 똥 절대 안 줍잖아. |
| Isn't Morrison's closer? | 모리슨즈가 더 가깝지 않아? |
| Okay, I found it... but it looks filthy! | 알았어, 찾았어.... 근데 더러워 보여! |
| Do you want me to put it in the bin? | 쓰레기통에 버릴까? |
| Is it really on the menu? | 그게 메뉴에 있어? |
| As I'm a smoker, I prefer sitting outside. | 나는 흡연자라서 바깥을 선호하긴 해. |
| But... I'm not good at lying... | 그치만... 나 거짓말 잘 못하는데... |
| I don't want you to spend a fortune. | 네가 돈을 잔뜩 쓰는 건 원하지 않아. |
| I don't mind sitting outside as long as I'm not cold. | 춥지만 않으면 바깥에 앉는 것도 좋아. |
| What is it about? | 무슨 내용인데? |
| Anyway, you only have 10 days left to leave that house. | 아무튼, 집 비우기까지 10일 남았다는 거네. |
| I think I've got a better idea about what to do with the bed! | 난 침대에서 뭘하면 좋을지 더 좋은 생각이 났는데! |
| Okay, here we are, this is Honeybrook Street. | 그래, 그럼 자, 여기가 허니브룩 스트릿이야. |
| I guess time doesn't pass for you while I'm away. | 내가 곁에 없으면 자기 시간은 안 흘러가나 보다. |
| You are welcome, here is the menu, madam. | 천만에요, 부인, 메뉴판 여기 드리겠습니다. |
| It seems there is no one in the house! | 집에 아무도 없는 모양인데! |
| Hmm.. yes, I need mushrooms, stock, celery... | 으음... 맞아, 버섯하고, 육수, 셀러리... |
| Nothing, 'cause I don't know what the woman looks like. | 나야 아무 것도 안하지, 그 할머니가 어떻게 생겼는지 모르니까. |
| How do you get to Brighton? | 브라이튼까지는 어떻게 갈 거야? |