







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'm on my way to Brighton, nearly there! | 브라이튼에 거의 다 도착했어! |
| What do you do? | 일은 뭐하는데요? |
| No, actually, he is properly toilet trained. | 아냐, 원래는 배변 훈련이 잘 돼있어. |
| Yeah, our room has only got one window! | 그러니까, 우리 방에는 창문 하나밖에 없다고! |
| And it's hard to believe, but it's clean. | 그리고 믿기 어렵겠지만 깨끗하답니다. |
| Don't worry, we don't do it everyday. | 걱정 마, 매일 이러는 것도 아닌데. |
| I guess time doesn't pass for you while I'm away. | 내가 곁에 없으면 자기 시간은 안 흘러가나 보다. |
| They're there, under the duvet. | 저기 이불 밑에 있네. |
| I think so, he can look around while Bear is not here. | 그게 좋겠어, 베어가 없는 동안 주변 좀 둘러볼 수 있도록. |
| He looks like he is interested in you! | 너한테 관심있는거 같은데! |
| Wow, that's unbelievable, is it yours? | 세상에, 안 믿기는 걸. 네 거야? |
| My dad is British and my mum is Australian. | 우리 아빠는 영국인이고 엄마가 호주인이야. |
| He is a plumber, dear, apparently it's clogged. | 배관수리공이셔, 변기가 막혔대나봐. |
| Yes, it's in Piccadilly Circus right in the centre. | 응, 딱 중앙에 피카딜리 서커스에 있어. |
| Nope, I don't cook fancy things, only regular dishes. | 아니, 막 대단한 건 안하고, 그냥 평범한 요리만 해. |
| That's very interesting! | 그건 신기한데요! |
| That's right, I think pressure cookers are quite dangerous, too! | 맞아, 그리고 압력솥도 꽤 위험하다고 생각해! |
| You never pick Bear's poo up from the pavement. | 너 길에서 베어 똥 절대 안 줍잖아. |
| Do your parents live in London, too? | 부모님께서도 런던에 사셔? |
| I'm so sorry about the inconvenience. | 불편을 끼쳐드려서 정말 미안합니다. |