







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 you feel a bit better now? | 기분은 좀 나아졌어? |
| Is there a problem with your phone battery? | 배터리에 뭔가 문제 있는 거 아냐? |
| A one year course? What kind of course is it? | 1년짜리 수업이라고? 무슨 수업이길래 그래? |
| I don't want you to spend a fortune. | 네가 돈을 잔뜩 쓰는 건 원하지 않아. |
| You know tomorrow is my last day. | 내일이면 마지막 날인 거 알잖아. |
| Come on in, here on the ground floor, we have two bedrooms... | 들어와요, 여기 1층에는 침실이 두 개 있고... |
| There's a whole 500g unopened packet. | 500g짜리 열지도 않은 통이 있어. |
| I guess my only choice is coming to your house! | 네 집에서 사는 거 말고는 선택지가 아무 것도 없네! |
| Here we go, I'm sure it means they pay much less. | 들통나셨네, 그러니까 훨씬 적게 낸다는 말 아녜요. |
| Australia is very strict with its customs rules. | 호주는 관세규칙이 정말 빡빡하단 말야. |
| Where are you? | 지금 어디야? |
| He hasn't realised that we are at a vet yet. | 아직 동물병원인 걸 눈치 못채고 있네. |
| Sorry, they don't serve chips here... | 미안하지만, 여기선 감자튀김 안 팔아... |
| Bacon and eggs with some olives is enough for me. | 베이컨에 달걀 그리고 올리브 조금이면 충분해. |
| I'm checking again, there are only two forks and a teaspoon! | 다시 보고 있는데, 포크 두 개에 티스푼 하나만 있어! |
| Maybe I get a bit moody on the first day of my period. | 생리 첫 날에는 좀 기분이 왔다갔다 하기는 해. |
| That's extreme, I don't think we have a mortar and pestle. | 그런 극단적인 요구가 있나, 사발하고 막자는 없을 텐데. |
| Erm, she's the marketing manager at the company. | 으음, 회사 마케팅 매니저야. |
| That's okay, I don't mind. | 물론이지, 상관 없어. |
| Yeah, that's a good idea! | 응, 그거 좋은 생각인데! |