







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 | |
|---|---|
| Excuse me ma'am, here is an undamaged packet of rice for you. | 실례하겠습니다, 여기 손상되지 않은 봉투의 쌀을 드릴게요. |
| Oh sorry dear, my husband has some difficulties hearing... | 아유, 미안해라, 우리 남편이 귀가 안 좋아서요... |
| As far as I know, Chows are not good with other animals. | 그런데 차우차우는 다른 동물들하고 잘 못 어울린다고 알고 있는데. |
| Hello, is that Cate? | 여보세요, 케이트야? |
| Is it because it's too violent? | 너무 잔인해서 그래? |
| Erm... Yeah... Sure! It's our first anniversary! | 어... 네... 그럼요! 저희 첫번째 결혼기념일이에요! |
| That's where Diego works, too! | 디에고도 거기서 일하는데! |
| Hello, my name is Mike, I'm Cate's boyfriend... | 안녕하세요, 제 이름은 마이크고요, 케이트의 남자친구... |
| Well, instead of chicken you can try the duck, it's yummy! | 그럼, 닭 대신에 오리를 먹어보면 되지, 맛있다니까! |
| Do we have a sieve? | 우리 체 있어? |
| And this is my girlfriend, Cate. | 이쪽은 제 여자친구, 케이트입니다. |
| My rent is monthly, I pay £600 per month. | 나는 월세야. 한달에 600파운드 내. |
| I'm really sorry, what kind of sickness is it? | 정말 유감이야. 무슨 병인지 물어봐도 될까? |
| Hang on a minute, they are both 300 gr and the same brand. | 잠시만, 둘다 300그램에 같은 브랜드인데. |
| It won't change anything, but reminding me is stressing me out! | 달라지는 건 없어도 자꾸 말하면 스트레스 받는다고! |
| Umm... We are married... I mean, today is our wedding anniversary! | 그... 저희가 부부라서... 그러니까, 오늘이 저희 결혼 기념일이거든요! |
| How much rice do you need? | 쌀이 얼마나 필요해? |
| But we have to be quick, I don't have much time. | 하지만 서둘러야 돼, 별로 시간이 없어서. |
| Of course, she is an angel, do you want to talk to your mum? | 그럼, 그럼, 천사같고 말고, 엄마랑 얘기하고 싶은 게냐? |
| He's a... Sorry Mike, what do you do? | 뭘 하냐면... 미안한데 마이크, 너 직업이 뭐지? |