







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 | |
|---|---|
| Yeah, the packet is ripped, but it's not overdue. | 네, 포장은 찢어졌지만 유통기한은 지나지 않았네요. |
| As I'm a smoker, I prefer sitting outside. | 나는 흡연자라서 바깥을 선호하긴 해. |
| We don't have that system in Brighton yet. | 브라이튼에는 아직 그 시스템이 없어서. |
| Then you can decide if I'm a good cook or not! | 그럼 내가 요리를 잘하는지 못하는지 네가 판단할 수 있는 거지! |
| They're there, under the duvet. | 저기 이불 밑에 있네. |
| Are you serious? | 진심? |
| Come on, don't cry, she is just a stupid girl! | 그러지 말고, 울지 마, 그냥 저 여자가 이상한 거야! |
| There's a whole 500g unopened packet. | 500g짜리 열지도 않은 통이 있어. |
| Nope, oyster cards are only for transport in London. | 아니, 오이스터 카드는 런던 내 이동에만 쓰여. |
| I hope it's not related to me! | 나랑은 상관 없는 일이길 바라! |
| Okay, so do you want me to make 3 serves? | 좋아, 그럼 3인분을 만들면 되는 거지? |
| Bear is okay with cats, but definitely not with dogs. | 베어는 고양이하고는 잘 지내는데 개하고는 전혀 아냐. |
| I think Diego and I are the only smokers in the house. | 내 생각에 디에고랑 나 밖에 없는 거 같아. |
| Isn't it faster taking the tube? | 지하철이 더 빠르지 않아? |
| I'm sorry, I'm not good at remembering names sometimes! | 미안해, 가끔 이름 기억하는 게 헷갈려서 말야! |
| So it's definitely not a divorce situation. | 그러니까 이혼 문제는 아닐 텐데. |
| It's impossible for me to commute from zone-9 to 1 everyday. | 런던 9구역에서 1구역까지 매일 통근하는 건 나한테 불가능한 일이야. |
| Can you show me which clothes I need to put away, then? | 내가 어느 옷들 치우면 될지 먼저 알려줄 수 있어? |
| Um.. it could be blue, I don't really remember. | 어... 파란색이었던 것 같기도. 확실히는 기억이 안 나. |
| How much do you pay for your room? | 네 방은 얼마 내는데? |