







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 | |
|---|---|
| That's extreme, I don't think we have a mortar and pestle. | 그런 극단적인 요구가 있나, 사발하고 막자는 없을 텐데. |
| Thanks, but I don't have time to stay. | 고맙지만, 곧 가야해서요. |
| Are you sure she is from Australia? | 진짜 호주출신이 맞아? |
| But for how many people? | 몇인분인데? |
| Okay, if you say so, I trust you! | 그래, 네가 그렇다면야 믿어야지! |
| Hmm.. yes, we get on really well. | 흠... 네, 둘이 잘 맞아요. |
| It's all about my lovely little cat, Pogo. | 내 사랑스러운 고양이 포고 문제인 거지. |
| I don't like violence in real life, I only like it in movies. | 현실에서 폭력은 싫지, 영화에서만 좋아하는 거야. |
| There is nothing much left to do, there are only bits and pieces. | 크게 할 건 없어, 그냥 자잘한 거 몇 개 하면 돼. |
| Okay, the grated one's 20% off today. | 좋아, 그레이티드는 오늘 20% 할인이네. |
| Let me check, we only need butter. | 보자, 버터만 더 있으면 돼. |
| Oh yeah, it's our girls' night out tonight. | 아 응, 오늘 여자들끼리 놀러 나온 거야. |
| How old are you? | 그쪽은 몇살? |
| Really? I don't want to ruin your plan, but... | 정말? 계획을 망치고 싶지는 않은데, 그렇지만... |
| No, I have really bad allergies. | 아뇨, 알레르기가 정말 심해서 그래요. |
| You look much younger than that. | 그것보다 한참 어려보이는데. |
| That's nice, I guess I like the house very much! | 좋은 걸요, 전 이 집이 되게 마음에 들어요! |
| Yeah, it's normal, he even hisses at my new socks sometimes! | 응, 정상이야. 어떨 땐 새로 산 양말에도 하악질 하니까! |
| Normally, it's much more expensive than the other ones. | 보통은 다른 것보다 훨씬 더 비싼데. |
| Yes, it was quite easy, actually, I live very close by. | 네, 사실 꽤 쉬웠어요. 저는 바로 근처에 살거든요. |