







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 | |
|---|---|
| Thank you, dear... For helping me to be a liar! | 고마워, 자기... 거짓말쟁이가 되도록 도와줘서! |
| People take cutlery to their rooms and don't bring it back! | 사람들이 수저를 방으로 가져가놓곤 가지고 오지를 않아! |
| My beard makes me look older, I think. | 아무래도 수염 때문에 더 나이가 들어보이나봐. |
| I'm really sorry to hear that, mate! | 아이고, 그건 정말 유감이네! |
| But one of them is £2.44 and the other one is £1.22. | 근데 하나는 2.44파운드이고 다른 하나는 1.22파운드야. |
| Yeah, I guess spring is the worst time for allergies! | 하긴, 봄철이 알레르기에 끔찍하긴 하죠! |
| Yes, I can hear you, but I don't understand! | 그래, 말은 들리는데, 이해가 안돼! |
| Don't worry Mike, I think this one is better. | 걱정마, 마이크. 난 이쪽이 더 좋아. |
| Hello Beatrix, it's me, Cate. | 안녕하세요, 비트릭스씨, 저 케이트인데요. |
| So 2017 minus 1841 equals... | 그러니까 2017 빼기 1841을 하면... |
| My husband and I really appreciate it. | 남편도 저도 정말 감사한 마음이에요. |
| No, but it's not good for him to take the stairs up and down everyday. | 그렇진 않아, 하지만 매일 계단을 오르락내리락하는 건 좋지 않아서. |
| How much do you pay for your room? | 네 방은 얼마 내는데? |
| Erm.. Isn't it there? | 어... 거기에 있지 않아? |
| What's your maximum monthly budget for the rent? | 방값으로 한달에 최대 얼마쯤 잡고 있어? |
| Because I don't want to waste more time finding a new house... | 새 집 찾느라 더 시간 낭비하기 싫으니까 그렇지... |
| Anyway, my lesson is starting now, I have to go. | 아무튼, 곧 수업이 시작해. 가봐야겠어. |
| That's why they're 50% off. | 그러니까 50%를 깎았지. |
| Yes, I like them, too. | 응, 그것도 좋아하지. |
| Umm... We are married... I mean, today is our wedding anniversary! | 그... 저희가 부부라서... 그러니까, 오늘이 저희 결혼 기념일이거든요! |