







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 | |
|---|---|
| Sorry, the line is very bad! | 미안, 통화연결이 안 좋아! |
| Oh, I think I know them. | 오, 알 것 같아. |
| Yeah, I'll have a beer, I guess you want wine, Cate? | 네, 저는 맥주로 하죠. 케이트 너는 와인으로 하려나? |
| Yes, she is coming back, but isn't it what I always do? | 응, 돌아온대. 근데 난 항상 청소 하잖아? |
| That's a good choice, they do great calamari here, too. | 좋은 선택이야. 여기 오징어도 굉장히 맛있거든. |
| It's a double room plus we get a cleaner once a week. | 더블룸이고 일주일에 한번씩 청소부가 와. |
| Let me check... when is best for you? | 확인해보죠... 언제 보러 오시겠어요? |
| A flat is not a good idea for Bear, it doesn't have a garden. | 베어한테 아파트는 좋은 생각이 아냐, 안뜰이 없잖아. |
| So Pogo gets on very well with dogs. | 그래서 포고는 개하고 잘 지내. |
| Okay, so what's our plan now? | 그래, 그럼 이제 뭐 할까? |
| I've found 2, too, there aren't many options in Camden Lock. | 나도 2개 찾았어. 캠든 록에는 별로 선택지가 없네. |
| Oh really? That's not good. | 아 정말? 그건 별론데. |
| Yes, that's a good idea. | 응, 좋은 생각인걸. |
| But sometimes I feel guilty not being there! | 하지만 내가 없으니까 가끔은 죄책감이 들어! |
| Yes, they are all around 2 pounds. | 응, 전부 2파운드 언저리야. |
| I know, I thought you might like to have it with her alone. | 아는데, 그 여자랑 단둘이 먹는 게 낫겠다 싶었지. |
| Yes, he is totally fine after resting for a while. | 응, 좀 쉬고 나더니 완전 괜찮아졌어. |
| Erm, I can't work it out, I guess it's more than 150 years old. | 엄, 계산은 안되지만, 150년이 넘는 것 같은데. |
| My sisters live nearby, they help her sometimes. | 우리 언니들이 근처에 사니까, 가끔씩 도와드리곤 해. |
| Well, that's another problem! | 그러니까 문제란 말이지! |