







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 | |
|---|---|
| Yes, sorry, everything seems filthy, but believe me, it's not my fault! | 그래, 미안해. 모든 게 더러워 보이겠지. 하지만 믿어줘, 그게 내 잘못은 아니야! |
| But sometimes I feel guilty not being there! | 하지만 내가 없으니까 가끔은 죄책감이 들어! |
| Don't you think two forks are enough for us? | 포크 두 개면 충분하지 않아? |
| That's so sad, how old are your parents? | 아, 그건 너무 슬프다. 부모님 연세가 어떻게 되셔? |
| I've only got Saturday left before I have to move on Sunday. | 일요일에 이사 가기 전에 토요일 하루 밖에 안 남았어. |
| You are welcome, here is the menu, madam. | 천만에요, 부인, 메뉴판 여기 드리겠습니다. |
| But that's true, some Chows are a bit aggressive. | 하지만 사실이긴 해, 어떤 차우차우들은 좀 공격적이지. |
| Oh look at this big boy, he gets bigger everytime I see him! | 이야, 이 덩치있는 녀석, 볼 때마다 쑥쑥 커져 있네! |
| Yes it is, how are you? | 맞아. 요즘 좀 어때? |
| Is there a knife? | 나이프는 있어? |
| With gas stoves, someone can leave the gas on, it's too dangerous! | 가스레인지를 쓰는데 누가 가스를 안 잠그면, 너무 위험하잖아! |
| Or worse, sometimes they throw a party at home! | 아니면 아예 집에서 파티를 해버린다니까! |
| Yeah, I think this wardrobe is too small for two people. | 맞아, 이 옷장은 두 사람 쓰기에는 너무 작아. |
| Hmm.. yes, we get on really well. | 흠... 네, 둘이 잘 맞아요. |
| How many people live in this house? | 이 집에 몇이나 살아? |
| The recipe is not from the internet, it's from a Jamie Oliver book. | 인터넷에서 긁은 게 아니라, 제이미 올리버 책에서 찾은 거라구. |
| He's a... Sorry Mike, what do you do? | 뭘 하냐면... 미안한데 마이크, 너 직업이 뭐지? |
| Why don't we pay 100 more each, and get a house in Mayfair? | 인당 100씩 더 내고, 메이페어에 집을 구하는 건 어때? |
| Do we have a sieve? | 우리 체 있어? |
| Normally, girls check the wine list for half an hour before they order. | 보통 여자애들은 주문하기 전에 세월아 네월아 보고 있는데. |