







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 | |
|---|---|
| Do your parents live in London, too? | 부모님께서도 런던에 사셔? |
| Erm.. Isn't it there? | 어... 거기에 있지 않아? |
| My friend noted here it is your wedding anniversary! | 동료가 적어놓기를 두분 결혼기념일이시라구요! |
| Depends on where you look. | 어디를 알아보느냐에 달려있지. |
| I only have 3 hours today. | 오늘은 3시간만 하면 돼. |
| Of course, she is an angel, do you want to talk to your mum? | 그럼, 그럼, 천사같고 말고, 엄마랑 얘기하고 싶은 게냐? |
| Everything is the same as it's advertised. | 광고한 내용이랑 전부 똑같답니다. |
| I don't have time to cook everyday. | 매일 요리할 시간이 없어. |
| Yeah, I guess normally you go to work around 06:30. | 맞아요, 평소에는 6시 반쯤에 출근하는 거 같길래. |
| No, I haven't, I don't know what's yours in the fridge. | 아니, 네 냉장고에서 뭐가 네 건지를 모르겠어서. |
| Hello, I'm sorry, but there is no chardonnay left, Cate. | 안녕, 케이트, 미안한데 샤르도네 남은 게 없대. |
| You know, she is normally an extremely quiet and calm person. | 알잖아, 평소에는 엄청 조용하고 침착한 사람인 거. |
| That's why they're 50% off. | 그러니까 50%를 깎았지. |
| It looks like you've got some experience with coffee. | 커피를 꽤 잘 아는 것 같아 보이는걸. |
| Yeah, I guess spring is the worst time for allergies! | 하긴, 봄철이 알레르기에 끔찍하긴 하죠! |
| Okay, if you say so, I trust you! | 그래, 네가 그렇다면야 믿어야지! |
| Sorry, they don't serve chips here... | 미안하지만, 여기선 감자튀김 안 팔아... |
| Do you really think it looks like we have a cleaner? | 정말 청소부가 있는 것처럼 보여? |
| 360 degrees should be good. | 360도면 될 거야. |
| That's nice... I hope she is not a teenager! How old is she? | 멋있네... 아직 십대인 건 아니겠지! 몇 살인데? |