







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 don't know, maximum 33? | 글쎄, 최대 서른 셋? |
| I like the seafood restaurants there. | 거기 해물 레스토랑 좋더라. |
| Did you say Russia? That's unusual! | 러시아라고? 특이하네! |
| I mostly work till late at night, I never wake up at 7 in the morning. | 나는 보통 밤 늦게까지 일해서, 아침 7시에는 절대 못 일어나는데. |
| Do you think electric stoves are better? | 전기 스토브가 가스레인지보다 낫다고 생각해? |
| Here you go sir, this is your receipt and your £20 cashback. | 여기 있습니다. 영수증과 20파운드 캐시백이에요. |
| As they say, time is the best medicine. | 옛말에 시간이 약이라고 하잖아. |
| What's your plan, Cate? | 케이트, 이제 뭐할 거야? |
| Sorry, the line is very bad! | 미안, 통화연결이 안 좋아! |
| I don't mind sitting outside as long as I'm not cold. | 춥지만 않으면 바깥에 앉는 것도 좋아. |
| It's impossible for me to commute from zone-9 to 1 everyday. | 런던 9구역에서 1구역까지 매일 통근하는 건 나한테 불가능한 일이야. |
| Is your dog a Chow Chow? | 그쪽 개는 차우차우예요? |
| My rent is monthly, I pay £600 per month. | 나는 월세야. 한달에 600파운드 내. |
| Is there anything else I can do for you, love? | 다른 거 필요한 건 없구, 자기? |
| I want to be sober and energetic for tomorrow. | 내일을 위해 오늘은 멀쩡한 정신으로 에너지를 아껴두고 싶어서. |
| But I think that's only for older women. | 그건 나이가 있으신 여성분들 경우라고 생각하니까. |
| Thank you again for giving me your turn. | 차례 양보해줘서 정말 고마워. |
| Yes, it seems more logical in this case. | 그렇네, 그게 더 합리적인 판단 같아. |
| It's half past 4, so we are here right on time. | 4시 반이니까 딱 맞게 온 건데. |
| But sometimes I feel guilty not being there! | 하지만 내가 없으니까 가끔은 죄책감이 들어! |