







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 | |
|---|---|
| I really don't want to see her again! | 그 여자는 다시는 보고 싶지 않아! |
| People take cutlery to their rooms and don't bring it back! | 사람들이 수저를 방으로 가져가놓곤 가지고 오지를 않아! |
| This is my boyfriend, Mike. | 이쪽은 제 남자친구, 마이크예요. |
| I agree, long flights aren't very pleasant. | 그건 맞아, 비행기 오래 타는 건 별로 즐거운 경험이 아니지. |
| Oh, I think I know them. | 오, 알 것 같아. |
| Set times always stress me out. | 나는 시간이 정해져있으면 스트레스 받거든. |
| Do you want me to make you a cup of tea or coffee? | 차나 커피 한 잔 타줄까? |
| Oh, sorry, I didn't know I wasn't allowed to order what I want! | 아, 미안해라, 내가 먹고싶은 걸 주문해서는 안되는 줄 모르고 있었네! |
| I have two more lessons, I finish at three thirty. | 수업 두 개 남았으니까, 3시 30분에 마쳐. |
| Come on, don't cry, she is just a stupid girl! | 그러지 말고, 울지 마, 그냥 저 여자가 이상한 거야! |
| The ones at the bottom look fresher. | 바닥에 깔린 게 더 신선해 보여. |
| How much garlic do you want? | 마늘은 얼마나 있으면 되겠어? |
| Bear hates being at a vet, too. | 베어도 동물병원 오는 걸 싫어하는데. |
| That's nice... I hope she is not a teenager! How old is she? | 멋있네... 아직 십대인 건 아니겠지! 몇 살인데? |
| We're out tonight for Laura. | 오늘은 로라를 위해 나온 거야. |
| Yes, I'm here waiting for good news. | 네, 좋은 소식 기다리고 있어요. |
| I have no idea... But I hope they have a good excuse! | 전혀 모르겠지만... 말이 되는 핑계거리가 있는 사람이길 바라! |
| Let me check, we only need butter. | 보자, 버터만 더 있으면 돼. |
| I live just opposite the pub. | 나는 그 술집 바로 맞은편에 살아요. |
| No, I'm not lying! I never lie. | 거짓말 아냐! 난 거짓말 안해. |