







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 | |
|---|---|
| We call it a sixth sense! | 육감이라고 부르지! |
| Sorry, I don't have much time, can I tell you the story when I'm back? | 미안해요, 내가 시간이 별로 없어서, 갔다 와서 얘기해줘도 돼요? |
| Yeah, it's open here already... | 그럼, 벌써 여기 열어뒀는걸... |
| Let me check... Yes, there are some plates. | 보자... 응, 접시는 몇 개 있어. |
| Do you think electric stoves are better? | 전기 스토브가 가스레인지보다 낫다고 생각해? |
| No, this one is the shop's own brand, that's why it's not expensive. | 아냐, 이건 이 가게 브랜드라서 안 비싼 거야. |
| 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. |
| I'm unleashing him now, is that okay for you? | 목줄 풀게. 그래도 괜찮겠어? |
| Yes, that's a good idea. | 응, 좋은 생각인걸. |
| Are you the only smoker in the house? | 이 건물에 담배 피우는 사람 너 밖에 없어? |
| That's a good question! | 좋은 질문이야! |
| Anyway, you only have 10 days left to leave that house. | 아무튼, 집 비우기까지 10일 남았다는 거네. |
| It's not a nice thing to say to a woman... | 여자한테 그런 말은 상처가 된다구... |
| Well, one of them is 2,800, but bills are not included... | 음, 하나는 2800 파운드인데, 관리비는 미포함이고... |
| Normally, girls check the wine list for half an hour before they order. | 보통 여자애들은 주문하기 전에 세월아 네월아 보고 있는데. |
| Um, I don't feel like eating anything but fish today. | 음, 오늘은 생선 말고는 별로 당기지가 않아. |
| She could even have been her mum... Who knows? | 그 여자 어머니일 수도 있는 거고... 혹시 모르잖아? |
| Hi girls, this is Mike. | 안녕, 친구들. 이쪽은 마이크. |
| Okay, if you say so, I trust you! | 그래, 네가 그렇다면야 믿어야지! |
| Don't worry, I don't like having a very heavy breakfast. | 걱정 마, 난 아침 많이 먹는 거 그다지 좋아하지 않아. |