







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 | |
|---|---|
| You know some people don't like putting their ad on the internet. | 어떤 사람들은 인터넷에 광고 게시하는 걸 안 좋아하잖아. |
| And this is my girlfriend, Cate. | 이쪽은 제 여자친구, 케이트입니다. |
| Hey, which is the closest station to China Town? | 있지, 차이나타운에 제일 가까운 역이 어디야? |
| No, I don't have one! | 아뇨, 없어요! |
| Isn't it too early for dinner? | 저녁 먹기에는 너무 이르지 않아? |
| Do you want me to call Diego, then? | 그럼 디에고한테 전화할까? |
| I don't want to stay in this house anymore! | 이 집에선 더 이상 있고 싶지 않아! |
| Maybe she really is allergic to cats, we don't know that. | 정말 고양이한테 알레르기가 있어서 그럴 수도 있지, 그건 모르는 거야. |
| I prefer red onions. | 나는 적양파가 좋아. |
| And on the ground floor we have easy access to the garden. | 그리고 1층에 살면 정원에 쉽게 드나들 수 있잖아. |
| I haven't seen her, either, and I don't really want to... | 나도 본 적 없고, 보고 싶지도 않아... |
| I wish you all the best. | 다 잘되길 빌어요. |
| Of course! It's my favourite pub. | 당연하죠! 내가 제일 좋아하는 술집인데. |
| What line is it on? | 어느 라인이야? |
| But I don't think I can use them all, there are too many! | 하지만 다 쓰기에는 너무 많은 것 같아! |
| It's in Islington, zone-1, it's the best place for me so far. | 이즐링턴에 있어. 구역 1이고, 이때까지 중에선 나한테 제일 좋은 곳이야. |
| Do you like red or white onions? | 적양파가 좋아, 흰 양파가 좋아? |
| Why do you want to live there? | 너는 왜 거기 살고 싶어? |
| Do your parents live in London, too? | 부모님께서도 런던에 사셔? |
| Hmm... Tomorrow is a bank holiday. | 어... 내일은 뱅크 홀리데이니까. |