







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 | |
|---|---|
| Isn't it faster taking the tube? | 지하철이 더 빠르지 않아? |
| It's difficult to find all the items manually on the self-checkout. | 셀프 계산대에서는 일일이 항목 찾는 게 어려워. |
| Oh hello... I forgot to mention, it's also a very special occasion... | 아 안녕하세요... 제가 말하는 걸 깜빡했는데요, 엄청 중요한 날이라서요... |
| I guess he wants to drink some water. | 물이나 좀 마시고 싶은 모양이야. |
| He's a... Sorry Mike, what do you do? | 뭘 하냐면... 미안한데 마이크, 너 직업이 뭐지? |
| Shall we meet at the train station, or do you want me to pick you up from your house? | 기차역에서 만날까, 아님 집 앞까지 내가 데리러 갈까? |
| She is half Japanese, half Australian. | 반은 일본인이고 반은 호주인인 거지. |
| Nope, it gives me a headache! | 싫어, 머리가 지끈지끈하다구! |
| This is my boyfriend, Mike. | 이쪽은 제 남자친구, 마이크예요. |
| Hi girls, this is Mike. | 안녕, 친구들. 이쪽은 마이크. |
| Yeah, I guess spring is the worst time for allergies! | 하긴, 봄철이 알레르기에 끔찍하긴 하죠! |
| Hope to see you later. | 나중에 봐. |
| You can just stay with me, until you find somewhere to live. | 살 만한 곳을 찾을 때까지 나랑 같이 지내면 되지. |
| I hope your friends don't mind. | 친구분들이 신경 안 쓰면 좋겠는데. |
| Congratulations, I wish you luck. | 축하해, 잘 되기를 빌어. |
| Um, I don't feel like eating anything but fish today. | 음, 오늘은 생선 말고는 별로 당기지가 않아. |
| Huh, it's quite good money! | 어머, 그건 꽤 액수가 큰데! |
| Here you can take it, be careful, it's very hot. | 여기 가져가. 조심하고, 뜨거우니까. |
| Umm, Dick is here, dear, he is the landlord... | 음, 니기미씨가 왔는데, 집주인이셔... |
| Erm, sorry, but I think you have the wrong Mike... | 어어, 죄송하지만 사람을 잘못 아신 것 같은데요... |