







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 | |
|---|---|
| It only takes 15 or 20 minutes. | 한 15에서 20분 정도 밖에 안 걸릴 거야. |
| No, what is that? | 뭔데? |
| I don't think it's hay fever! I believe it's from the cat... | 꽃가루 알레르기는 아닌 것 같아요! 고양이 때문이라고 보는데... |
| I've only got Saturday left before I have to move on Sunday. | 일요일에 이사 가기 전에 토요일 하루 밖에 안 남았어. |
| Okay, how much salt do you want me to add? | 좋아, 소금은 얼마나 칠까? |
| Is your dog a Chow Chow? | 그쪽 개는 차우차우예요? |
| What's your favourite movie? | 네가 제일 좋아하는 영화는 뭐야? |
| Those kind of irresponsible people make me angry! | 그렇게 무책임한 사람들을 보면 화가 난단 말이지! |
| No, actually, he is properly toilet trained. | 아냐, 원래는 배변 훈련이 잘 돼있어. |
| Do you have a cigarette? | 담배 있냐? |
| It's got some water marks on it! | 잔에 물 자국이 있어! |
| I don't want to talk about this issue in this house. | 이 얘기는 이 집에서는 하고 싶지 않아. |
| Yes, he is one of them. | 응, 그 일 해. |
| And on the ground floor we have easy access to the garden. | 그리고 1층에 살면 정원에 쉽게 드나들 수 있잖아. |
| Cate, are you okay? You seem a little bit aggressive. | 케이트, 괜찮아? 좀 날카로워 보인다. |
| That's a perfect time to see a house... | 그건 집 보기에 딱 좋은 시간이지... |
| They also have three big windows in their room! | 그 사람들 방에는 큰 창문도 세 개나 있잖아요! |
| He is the bartender. | 거기 바텐더예요. |
| Yeah, our room has only got one window! | 그러니까, 우리 방에는 창문 하나밖에 없다고! |
| I don't want to stay in this house anymore! | 이 집에선 더 이상 있고 싶지 않아! |