







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 | |
|---|---|
| No, actually, he is properly toilet trained. | 아냐, 원래는 배변 훈련이 잘 돼있어. |
| It's hard to believe, but we have a pressure cooker in the house. | 믿기 힘들겠지만, 이 집에는 압력솥이 있어. |
| The rice section is over there. | 쌀 코너는 저쪽에 있어. |
| Are you with your friends? | 친구들하고 왔어? |
| But maybe they are splitting up, I don't know yet. | 하지만 헤어지는 걸 수는 있지. 나도 아직 모르겠어. |
| There is also some cheese, but it's a bit mouldy. | 치즈도 좀 있는데 곰팡이가 살짝 폈더라고. |
| Look, there is a shop assistant. | 봐, 저기 가게 종업원이 있다. |
| Isn't Morrison's closer? | 모리슨즈가 더 가깝지 않아? |
| Well this is how it is... do you want to see upstairs? | 글쎄, 그렇게 돼있는 걸 어쩌겠어요. 위층도 보겠어요? |
| What genre do you listen to? | 너는 어떤 장르 들어? |
| You are so realistic dear, where is your wedding ring? | 실감이 정말 넘쳐나, 자기, 결혼 반지는 어디 있어? |
| If you are going to ask for money, I don't have any, either. | 돈 빌리려고 그러는 거면, 나도 없어. |
| I'm not really in the mood to join them. | 걔네랑 같이갈 기분은 아니야. |
| It's very difficult for me to go there more than once a year. | 1년에 한 번 이상 가는 건 너무 어려운 일이라서. |
| What does Diego do? | 디에고는 무슨 일 해? |
| Okay, so do you want me to make 3 serves? | 좋아, 그럼 3인분을 만들면 되는 거지? |
| Well, instead of chicken you can try the duck, it's yummy! | 그럼, 닭 대신에 오리를 먹어보면 되지, 맛있다니까! |
| Hang on a minute, they are both 300 gr and the same brand. | 잠시만, 둘다 300그램에 같은 브랜드인데. |
| The ones at the bottom look fresher. | 바닥에 깔린 게 더 신선해 보여. |
| Don't worry Mike, I think this one is better. | 걱정마, 마이크. 난 이쪽이 더 좋아. |