







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. |
| You're right, but he is not only here to fix things... | 네 말은 맞는데, 고쳐주려고 온 것뿐만 아니라... |
| Do you know her well? | 잘 아는 사이야? |
| It's about a web project. | 웹 프로젝트에 관한 건데. |
| Um, I don't feel like eating anything but fish today. | 음, 오늘은 생선 말고는 별로 당기지가 않아. |
| Do they weigh them here or at the checkout? | 여기서 저울 달면 돼, 아니면 계산대로 가야 해? |
| My landlords are a gay couple. | 우리 집주인 게이 커플이야. |
| That's why they're 50% off. | 그러니까 50%를 깎았지. |
| We don't have that system in Brighton yet. | 브라이튼에는 아직 그 시스템이 없어서. |
| I guess you need to change your cooking plan now! | 네 요리 계획이 바뀌어버린 것 같네! |
| Absolutely not, while you are working you smoke like a chimney. | 절대 안 되지, 너 작업하는 동안에는 줄담배를 뻑뻑 피우잖아. |
| By the way, my name's Mike, what's yours? | 아무튼, 내 이름은 마이크예요. 그쪽은? |
| What line is it on? | 어느 라인이야? |
| Yes, I'm here waiting for good news. | 네, 좋은 소식 기다리고 있어요. |
| Is it because of the cost, or another reason? | 경비 때문에 그래, 아님 다른 이유가 있어? |
| Yes, she is coming back, but isn't it what I always do? | 응, 돌아온대. 근데 난 항상 청소 하잖아? |
| No, but that's what I feel like having... | 아니, 근데 먹고 싶어서 그러지... |
| Congratulations... But is Pogo a pet's name? | 축하드립니다... 그런데, 포고는 애완동물 이름인가요? |
| Is it because it's too violent? | 너무 잔인해서 그래? |
| I think I've got a better idea about what to do with the bed! | 난 침대에서 뭘하면 좋을지 더 좋은 생각이 났는데! |