







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, we don't have any, but there is someone else's bread. | 음, 내 건 없는데, 남의 빵은 있지. |
| Are there any fries or any kind of snacks? | 튀김이나 다른 안주 뭐 있어? |
| It has 1 year to pass its expiry date. | 유통기한이 지나려면 아직 1년이 남았어요. |
| Of course! It's my favourite pub. | 당연하죠! 내가 제일 좋아하는 술집인데. |
| Erm... They pay 170 weekly. | 음... 매 주 170파운드를 내요. |
| Do you mean the guy with the beard? | 수염 기른 신사분 말인가? |
| We don't have that system in Brighton yet. | 브라이튼에는 아직 그 시스템이 없어서. |
| Sorry, I hope it doesn't ruin your childhood memories... | 미안, 어린 시절의 기억이 더럽혀지지 않았길 바라... |
| Aren't there four of us dear? | 우리는 사람이 네 명이잖아? |
| Thanks father, where is Bear's lead? | 고마워요 아빠. 베어 목줄은 어디 있어? |
| Erm... While your hands are already dirty... | 음... 이미 손을 버린 김에... |
| I think the price is very cheap. | 되게 싼 것 같아. |
| Yes it is, how are you? | 맞아. 요즘 좀 어때? |
| And this is my girlfriend, Cate. | 이쪽은 제 여자친구, 케이트입니다. |
| Erm, by the way, since we are on the subject... | 어, 근데 말이지, 말 나온 김에 말인데... |
| I need to use chicken stock for the risotto! | 리조또를 만들려면 닭 육수를 써야 해! |
| Hang on, I remember you telling me you never kill animals! | 잠깐만, 너 동물은 절대 안 죽인다고 말했던 게 기억나는데! |
| Normally, girls check the wine list for half an hour before they order. | 보통 여자애들은 주문하기 전에 세월아 네월아 보고 있는데. |
| How many people live in this house? | 이 집에 몇이나 살아? |
| What kind of music do you like the most? | 너는 어떤 음악 제일 좋아해? |