







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 | |
|---|---|
| And sometimes they don't come home for days. | 어떨 때는 집에 며칠 씩 안 들어오거든. |
| I have no idea what arborio rice is! | 아보리오 쌀이 뭔지 전혀 모르겠는데! |
| That's very interesting! | 그건 신기한데요! |
| Yeah, I think it's a bit early to knock on someone's door! | 네, 남의 집 문을 두들기기에는 좀 이른 시간 같은데요! |
| Excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom. | 미안하지만, 난 화장실을 좀 써야겠어요. |
| Oh sorry, unfortunately, that one is reserved. | 아, 죄송하지만 저 테이블은 예약석입니다. |
| How are things going, is everything ok? | 일은 어때, 다 잘 되가? |
| I am half-British and half-Australian. | 영국하고 호주가 반반 섞인 거지. |
| Do you want me to slice the mushrooms for you? | 버섯 썰어 줄까? |
| There is no table for you, then! | 그럼 자리 못 구하는 거지, 뭐! |
| There are some vending machines in the station. | 역에 자판기가 좀 있을 텐데. |
| Why do you think it's weird? | 그게 뭐가 이상하다는 거야? |
| Hello, I'm very sorry dear, I'm a bit late. | 안녕, 정말 미안해 자기, 내가 좀 늦었지. |
| He must be sleeping, he usually works at night, too. | 자고 있는 모양이다, 걔도 주로 밤에 일하거든. |
| Hi, I don't think it's broken. | 안녕하세요, 부러진 것 같진 않은데. |
| Unfortunately, I don't have one! Where is yours? | 안타깝게도, 그런 거 없어! 네 건 어딨는데? |
| Do you remember the pub's name? | 그 술집 이름 기억해요? |
| Of course, I researched it well, it's 525 metres. | 응, 잘 조사해뒀지. 525 미터야. |
| Mike, teriyaki is Japanese, we are at a Chinese restaurant. | 마이크, 데리야끼는 일본식이고, 우리는 중국식 레스토랑에 와 있다구. |
| Oh, okay, is there a problem with your house? | 아, 그래요. 집에 뭔가 문제라도 있나요? |