







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, she is a uni student in Russia. | 아니, 러시아에서 대학 다녀. |
| Sorry, madam, Friday is one of our busiest nights! | 죄송합니다, 부인, 금요일 저녁은 제일 바쁜 시간 중 하나라서요! |
| It doesn't matter, I think they are the same distance away. | 상관 없는 거 같아, 둘다 거리가 비슷비슷할걸. |
| Sorry to ask, but are you on your period or something? | 물어봐서 미안하지만, 현재 생리 중이거나 한 거야? |
| Last night we were open till very late, and you know her excuse. | 어젯 밤 아주 늦게까지 영업했거든. 걔는 좀 쉴만 하잖아. |
| There is also some cheese, but it's a bit mouldy. | 치즈도 좀 있는데 곰팡이가 살짝 폈더라고. |
| You look a bit sad, are you okay? | 너 조금 슬퍼보이는데, 괜찮아? |
| You know, she is normally an extremely quiet and calm person. | 알잖아, 평소에는 엄청 조용하고 침착한 사람인 거. |
| Oh really? That's not good. | 아 정말? 그건 별론데. |
| He just moved from Brighton and lives around here. | 브라이튼에서 최근에 이사와서 요 근처에 살아. |
| Do you know her well? | 잘 아는 사이야? |
| You never pick Bear's poo up from the pavement. | 너 길에서 베어 똥 절대 안 줍잖아. |
| How is your mum, does she have any health problems? | 어머니는 어떠셔, 어디 아픈 곳이 있으셔? |
| It's not a big deal but it's quite an important thing to mention. | 나한테 중요한 일은 아니어도 말해줄 만큼은 중요한 일인 거잖아. |
| Erm, we don't have any, but there is someone else's bread. | 음, 내 건 없는데, 남의 빵은 있지. |
| Thank you again for giving me your turn. | 차례 양보해줘서 정말 고마워. |
| I didn't know that, I hope it's not serious. | 몰랐어. 심각한 게 아니면 좋을 텐데. |
| People take cutlery to their rooms and don't bring it back! | 사람들이 수저를 방으로 가져가놓곤 가지고 오지를 않아! |
| You are so realistic dear, where is your wedding ring? | 실감이 정말 넘쳐나, 자기, 결혼 반지는 어디 있어? |
| No, I won't... I don't want a house in Mayfair anymore! | 안 할 거야... 더는 메이페어에 있는 집을 구하고 싶지 않아! |