







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 | |
|---|---|
| Thanks, yeah, as I said, Camden is in zone-2... | 고마워, 그래, 내 말대로 캠든은 구역 2에 있네... |
| Of course! It's my favourite pub. | 당연하죠! 내가 제일 좋아하는 술집인데. |
| What line is it on? | 어느 라인이야? |
| No, it's the owner, she is an old lady and very strict about that. | 그게 아니라, 집주인이, 나이 드신 할머니신데 동물에 관해 꽤나 깐깐하세요. |
| No, what is that? | 뭔데? |
| Then, I don't think we need to see the next one! | 그럼, 다음 집은 안 봐도 될 거 같아! |
| I don't think we need to pay for it. | 안 물어줘도 될 거 같아. |
| Why? It looks pretty clean to me! | 왜? 이만하면 깨끗해 보이는데! |
| No worries, I have got a peeler for you! | 걱정마, 여기 감자깎이가 있어! |
| It's on the Northern line, the same one we use here. | 노던 라인이야, 우리가 여기서 쓰는 거랑 똑같이. |
| Is there anything else you want me to do? | 또 내가 했으면 하는 거 있어? |
| Yes, of course I remember. | 아, 당연히 기억하지. |
| Good thanks, I'm fine, too. | 다행이네. 나도 잘 지내. |
| Um.. it could be blue, I don't really remember. | 어... 파란색이었던 것 같기도. 확실히는 기억이 안 나. |
| I see them around a lot where I work, actually. | 내가 일하는 곳에도 되게 많아. |
| It definitely costs a lot, but that's not the only problem. | 돈도 돈이지만, 문제가 그것만은 아냐. |
| Hello Beatrix, it's me, Cate. | 안녕하세요, 비트릭스씨, 저 케이트인데요. |
| Yeah, that's a good idea. | 오, 좋은 생각인데. |
| Okay, if you say so, I trust you! | 그래, 네가 그렇다면야 믿어야지! |
| Yes, that's okay, we are just about to leave. | 응, 괜찮아, 이제 막 뜨려던 참이었어. |