







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 | |
|---|---|
| What's your favourite movie? | 네가 제일 좋아하는 영화는 뭐야? |
| Thanks, yeah, as I said, Camden is in zone-2... | 고마워, 그래, 내 말대로 캠든은 구역 2에 있네... |
| Do you expect me to make the room bigger by pushing the walls out? | 벽을 사방으로 밀어서 방을 더 크게 만들어 주기라도 바라는 거야? |
| I have two more lessons, I finish at three thirty. | 수업 두 개 남았으니까, 3시 30분에 마쳐. |
| Normally, girls check the wine list for half an hour before they order. | 보통 여자애들은 주문하기 전에 세월아 네월아 보고 있는데. |
| But we have to be quick, I don't have much time. | 하지만 서둘러야 돼, 별로 시간이 없어서. |
| I'm really sorry, what kind of sickness is it? | 정말 유감이야. 무슨 병인지 물어봐도 될까? |
| I didn't know that, I hope it's not a big problem for him. | 그건 몰랐어, 큰 문제가 아니면 좋을 텐데. |
| 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! |
| Is the first one washing the dishes or cleaning? | 첫번째는 설거지야, 청소야? |
| So does that mean you don't want to stay with me? | 그럼 네가 나랑 더 이상 같이 있기 싫다는 뜻이 되는 거야? |
| Nope, oyster cards are only for transport in London. | 아니, 오이스터 카드는 런던 내 이동에만 쓰여. |
| I have no idea... But I hope they have a good excuse! | 전혀 모르겠지만... 말이 되는 핑계거리가 있는 사람이길 바라! |
| I searched: does Pinocchio know he is not a real boy. | 피노키오는 자기가 진짜 아이가 아니라는 걸 아나요, 라고 검색했어. |
| I hate taking long flights! | 나 비행기 오래 타는 게 질색이거든! |
| Erm... You look about 30? | 흠... 한 서른 정도? |
| I don't need to wake up very early. | 엄청 일찍 일어날 필요는 없는데. |
| Sorry, is it possible to see it this Saturday after 2 o'clock? | 죄송합니다. 이번 토요일 오후 2시 이후에 집을 볼 수 있을까요? |
| Hello madam, are you still on the line? | 안녕하세요 부인, 아직 계신가요? |
| I only have 3 hours today. | 오늘은 3시간만 하면 돼. |