







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 | |
|---|---|
| Okay, the total is £36.74, sir. | 네, 총합 36.74파운드입니다. |
| But I don't think I can use them all, there are too many! | 하지만 다 쓰기에는 너무 많은 것 같아! |
| Okay, what temperature do you want me to set it at? | 좋아, 몇 도로 설정하면 되겠어? |
| I see them around a lot where I work, actually. | 내가 일하는 곳에도 되게 많아. |
| Calm down dear, I don't think he realises what he says. | 침착해 자기, 자기가 무슨 말 하는지 알면서 말한 것도 아닌 거 같아. |
| How much rice do you need? | 쌀이 얼마나 필요해? |
| Can your mum handle the situation by herself? | 어머니께서 혼자 이겨내실 수 있으셔? |
| Are you really asking me that question? | 지금 정말 나한테 그걸 물어보겠다는 거야? |
| Yeah, I think this wardrobe is too small for two people. | 맞아, 이 옷장은 두 사람 쓰기에는 너무 작아. |
| Are you serious? | 진심? |
| Yes it is, how are you? | 맞아. 요즘 좀 어때? |
| I've only got Saturday left before I have to move on Sunday. | 일요일에 이사 가기 전에 토요일 하루 밖에 안 남았어. |
| That's nice, I like the music and the lyrics. | 노래 좋다, 음악이랑 가사가 마음에 들어. |
| Why did you ask, do you want me to boil it? | 왜 물어봤어? 삶았으면 좋겠어? |
| Yeah, he is keen on moving house... | 응, 옮기고 싶어하는 마음이 있는데... |
| That's right, I think pressure cookers are quite dangerous, too! | 맞아, 그리고 압력솥도 꽤 위험하다고 생각해! |
| Yeah, I guess spring is the worst time for allergies! | 하긴, 봄철이 알레르기에 끔찍하긴 하죠! |
| I'm sorry, I'm not good at remembering names sometimes! | 미안해, 가끔 이름 기억하는 게 헷갈려서 말야! |
| I don't like going to hospitals, either. | 나도 병원가는 거 싫어하니까. |
| She is doing well, we have 3 months left to go. | 다 괜찮아, 이제 3개월 남았지. |