







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 | |
|---|---|
| Do your parents live in London, too? | 부모님께서도 런던에 사셔? |
| Is it the one with the blue tongue? | 혀가 파란 개 아녜요? |
| Do you want the tray in the middle? | 트레이는 중간에 둘래? |
| I don't know, probably put it in the bin. | 몰라, 쓰레기통에 버리든가 했겠지. |
| They don't usually work after ten o'clock. | 밤 10시 지나면 보통 끝나거든. |
| He looks like he is interested in you! | 너한테 관심있는거 같은데! |
| Yes, I can hear you, but I don't understand! | 그래, 말은 들리는데, 이해가 안돼! |
| We all love bank holidays. | 뱅크 홀리데이 최고야. |
| Unfortunately, I don't have one! Where is yours? | 안타깝게도, 그런 거 없어! 네 건 어딨는데? |
| Of course, I researched it well, it's 525 metres. | 응, 잘 조사해뒀지. 525 미터야. |
| But I think that's only for older women. | 그건 나이가 있으신 여성분들 경우라고 생각하니까. |
| I have an appointment with the home office for my visa extension. | 비자 연장하러 내무부에 가기로 약속 잡아놨어. |
| I think that *hand caught on fire* thing is a joke! | 손에 불이 붙었다는 거 농담 같단 말야! |
| Why is that rice so special? | 그 쌀이 뭐가 그렇게 특별해? |
| Come on dear, I know you want me to! | 에이, 왜 이러셔, 내가 오길 바라면서! |
| Why do you think it's weird? | 그게 뭐가 이상하다는 거야? |
| I am planning to sleep in a bit since it's a holiday. | 휴일이라 좀 늦잠 자려고 했거든. |
| Shall we meet at the train station, or do you want me to pick you up from your house? | 기차역에서 만날까, 아님 집 앞까지 내가 데리러 갈까? |
| Sorry, they don't serve chips here... | 미안하지만, 여기선 감자튀김 안 팔아... |
| What do you expect English teachers to look like? | 영어 선생님은 어떻게 생겼다고 생각하길래요? |