







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 | |
|---|---|
| It has 1 year to pass its expiry date. | 유통기한이 지나려면 아직 1년이 남았어요. |
| I'm really sorry to hear that, mate! | 아이고, 그건 정말 유감이네! |
| I don't know, maybe it helps a bit! | 글쎄, 어쩌면 조금은! |
| Hmm, I guess it's a bit old, but it's still my favourite. | 흠, 좀 고전이긴 하지만, 그래도 내가 제일 좋아하는 작품은. |
| I've only got Saturday left before I have to move on Sunday. | 일요일에 이사 가기 전에 토요일 하루 밖에 안 남았어. |
| Until you just light your cigarette. | 담배에 불 붙일 때 까지는. |
| He just moved from Brighton and lives around here. | 브라이튼에서 최근에 이사와서 요 근처에 살아. |
| Hope to see you later. | 나중에 봐. |
| Hey, Cate! Do you need anything? | 이야, 케이트! 뭐 필요한 거 있어? |
| He is fine. | 얘는 괜찮아요. |
| We all love bank holidays. | 뱅크 홀리데이 최고야. |
| How are you? | 너는 어때? |
| I don't think so, trains leave about every 20 minutes. | 괜찮을걸. 기차가 20분마다 오니까. |
| Sh*t! I can't believe it's already 10:30! | 젠장! 벌써 10시 반이라니 말도 안돼! |
| Can you stop acting like I always ask for money? | 너는 내가 맨날 돈 빌리는 사람으로 보이냐? |
| Sure, our kitchen is newly refurbished... | 물론이죠, 우리 주방은 새로 리모델링 되었어요... |
| Bacon and eggs with some olives is enough for me. | 베이컨에 달걀 그리고 올리브 조금이면 충분해. |
| My cat is in the garden. | 내 고양이가 정원에 있거든요. |
| He also wants to increase our rent by 50%! | 집세를 50% 올리겠다잖아! |
| Is the first one washing the dishes or cleaning? | 첫번째는 설거지야, 청소야? |