







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's always the same. | 꼭 이런 식이야. |
| I'm calling him now then, do you want anything else? | 그럼 지금 전화할게, 또 뭐 필요한 거 있어? |
| It's not a nice thing to say to a woman... | 여자한테 그런 말은 상처가 된다구... |
| And secondly, vets are so expensive! | 그리고 둘째로, 동물병원 너무 비싸! |
| Thanks, but I don't have time to stay. | 고맙지만, 곧 가야해서요. |
| Is it the one with the blue tongue? | 혀가 파란 개 아녜요? |
| The packets have 2 pieces in them. | 이 패키지에는 두 조각이 들었어. |
| Why? It looks pretty clean to me! | 왜? 이만하면 깨끗해 보이는데! |
| There is no table for you, then! | 그럼 자리 못 구하는 거지, 뭐! |
| Hey, Cate! Do you need anything? | 이야, 케이트! 뭐 필요한 거 있어? |
| It's impossible for me to commute from zone-9 to 1 everyday. | 런던 9구역에서 1구역까지 매일 통근하는 건 나한테 불가능한 일이야. |
| Oh sorry dear, my husband has some difficulties hearing... | 아유, 미안해라, 우리 남편이 귀가 안 좋아서요... |
| But sometimes I feel guilty not being there! | 하지만 내가 없으니까 가끔은 죄책감이 들어! |
| Don't worry, we don't do it everyday. | 걱정 마, 매일 이러는 것도 아닌데. |
| Let me check, we only need butter. | 보자, 버터만 더 있으면 돼. |
| Hello madam, are you still on the line? | 안녕하세요 부인, 아직 계신가요? |
| Hello guys, is it possible to make a little less noise? | 안녕 여러분, 소리 좀 낮춰줄 수 있어요? |
| Because you are in it. | 네가 있잖아. |
| I'm an English teacher. | 영어 선생님이에요. |
| Yeah, I think this wardrobe is too small for two people. | 맞아, 이 옷장은 두 사람 쓰기에는 너무 작아. |