







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 | |
|---|---|
| Don't worry Mike, I think this one is better. | 걱정마, 마이크. 난 이쪽이 더 좋아. |
| But Tesco is bigger, it has more variety of products. | 하지만 테스코가 더 크잖아. 물건 종류가 더 많아. |
| That's right, we should never forget how irresponsible my housemates are. | 맞아, 내 하우스메이트들이 얼마나 무책임한지 결코 잊어서는 안 되는데. |
| No, I don't have one! | 아뇨, 없어요! |
| It has 1 year to pass its expiry date. | 유통기한이 지나려면 아직 1년이 남았어요. |
| It's on the Northern line, the same one we use here. | 노던 라인이야, 우리가 여기서 쓰는 거랑 똑같이. |
| I really don't want to see her again! | 그 여자는 다시는 보고 싶지 않아! |
| Is there a garlic crusher, then? | 그럼 마늘 분쇄기는 없어? |
| Thanks, but I don't have time to stay. | 고맙지만, 곧 가야해서요. |
| I'm okay, how are you? | 나야 잘 지내지. 너는 어때? |
| Do you want me to put the chicken into the cooker first? | 닭고기를 솥에 먼저 넣을까? |
| I want to try the sauvignon blanc. | 난 소비뇽 블랑 한 번 마셔보고 싶어. |
| Hey, which is the closest station to China Town? | 있지, 차이나타운에 제일 가까운 역이 어디야? |
| Of course! It's my favourite pub. | 당연하죠! 내가 제일 좋아하는 술집인데. |
| Is that a crack in the bath? | 저건 욕조에 금이 간 건가요? |
| I mean, you don't live here with anyone from your family. | 그러니까, 가족 중에 아무도 여기서 같이 안 사는 거구나. |
| That's nice, the cupboards look good, the bench is okay... | 좋네요, 찬장도 좋아보이고, 식탁도 괜찮고... |
| There are some vending machines in the station. | 역에 자판기가 좀 있을 텐데. |
| What kind of music do you like the most? | 너는 어떤 음악 제일 좋아해? |
| Erm... You look about 30? | 흠... 한 서른 정도? |