







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 | |
|---|---|
| Erm... They pay 170 weekly. | 음... 매 주 170파운드를 내요. |
| Yes, that's a good idea. | 응, 좋은 생각인걸. |
| I have one sister and she is nineteen. | 여동생이 있는데 19살이야. |
| Do you want me to slice the mushrooms for you? | 버섯 썰어 줄까? |
| Do you want me to get you a glass of wine? | 와인 한 잔이라도 줄까? |
| Anyway, I need to go to the loo as well... | 글구, 화장실도 좀 써야 되겠고... |
| Maybe she really is allergic to cats, we don't know that. | 정말 고양이한테 알레르기가 있어서 그럴 수도 있지, 그건 모르는 거야. |
| You never pick Bear's poo up from the pavement. | 너 길에서 베어 똥 절대 안 줍잖아. |
| So Pogo gets on very well with dogs. | 그래서 포고는 개하고 잘 지내. |
| Sorry to ask, but are you on your period or something? | 물어봐서 미안하지만, 현재 생리 중이거나 한 거야? |
| Do you go to the Windmill often? | 윈드밀 자주 가요? |
| I've experienced how difficult and expensive it can be. | 얼마나 어렵고 비싼지 내가 딱 경험했잖아. |
| It's got some water marks on it! | 잔에 물 자국이 있어! |
| Yes, it might be, but I'm very busy with some projects these days. | 그래, 그럴 수도 있지만, 나 요즘 프로젝트들로 정말 바빠서. |
| Is there anything else you want me to do? | 또 내가 했으면 하는 거 있어? |
| It's usually at the top right of your screen. | 보통 화면 우측 상단에 있어요. |
| I don't mind sitting outside as long as I'm not cold. | 춥지만 않으면 바깥에 앉는 것도 좋아. |
| Yeah, I guess spring is the worst time for allergies! | 하긴, 봄철이 알레르기에 끔찍하긴 하죠! |
| My beard makes me look older, I think. | 아무래도 수염 때문에 더 나이가 들어보이나봐. |
| A one year course? What kind of course is it? | 1년짜리 수업이라고? 무슨 수업이길래 그래? |