







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 need some parsley, but it looks a bit limp. | 파슬리가 좀 필요한데 약간 싱싱하지 않아보여. |
| I took Bear out and I'm just about to leave. | 베어 산책 좀 시키다가 이제 나갈 준비 마쳤어. |
| Did you check carefully, don't we have any at all? | 정말로 하나도 없는지 확실히 봤어? |
| And we have to weigh everything by ourselves, etcetera. | 그리고 무게도 직접 다 재야 되고, 뭐 그렇잖아. |
| I think that *hand caught on fire* thing is a joke! | 손에 불이 붙었다는 거 농담 같단 말야! |
| Does anyone else want something to drink? | 술 더 드실 분? |
| I need to wake him up now! | 이제 가서 깨워야겠다! |
| So does that mean you don't want to stay with me? | 그럼 네가 나랑 더 이상 같이 있기 싫다는 뜻이 되는 거야? |
| You know, I usually have some early morning lessons. | 난 보통 아침 일찍 수업이 있잖아. |
| Come on, Mike, it's not about me being home. | 아 진짜, 마이크, 집에 있고 없고의 문제가 아니잖아. |
| I don't think it's normal, do you think it's normal? | 정상이 아닌 거 같아. 네 생각엔 어때? |
| It's impossible for me to commute from zone-9 to 1 everyday. | 런던 9구역에서 1구역까지 매일 통근하는 건 나한테 불가능한 일이야. |
| I'm a bit paranoid about it. | 약간 편집증이 생겨버렸지 뭐야. |
| I didn't say it's your fault, but it's your turn now... | 네 잘못이라고는 안 했지, 하지만 차례를 돌릴 때는 되었어... |
| How long does it usually take? | 보통 얼마쯤 걸리는데? |
| Let me check... Yes, there are some plates. | 보자... 응, 접시는 몇 개 있어. |
| Sorry, they don't serve chips here... | 미안하지만, 여기선 감자튀김 안 팔아... |
| Why don't you answer your phone? | 전화는 왜 안 받았어? |
| Do you want me to slice the mushrooms for you? | 버섯 썰어 줄까? |
| Do you want me to call Diego, then? | 그럼 디에고한테 전화할까? |