







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've got a meeting with some people. | 사람들하고 미팅 잡힌 게 있어서. |
| Yeah, I guess normally you go to work around 06:30. | 맞아요, 평소에는 6시 반쯤에 출근하는 거 같길래. |
| Umm, you can tell them it's our wedding anniversary. | 음, 우리 결혼기념일이라고 얘기해볼 수 있잖아. |
| But Bear has got hip dysplasia. | 근데 베어한테 고관절 문제가 있거든. |
| I'd like to one day, when they invent teleportation. | 순간이동이 발명되는 날 가보면 좋겠다. |
| How is there four of us? | 어떻게 사람이 네 명이 돼? |
| I don't mind sitting outside as long as I'm not cold. | 춥지만 않으면 바깥에 앉는 것도 좋아. |
| Do you have any brothers or sisters? | 형제자매는 없어? |
| Yes, they are all around 2 pounds. | 응, 전부 2파운드 언저리야. |
| Oh, okay, is there a problem with your house? | 아, 그래요. 집에 뭔가 문제라도 있나요? |
| Thanks for being thoughtful, dear. | 신경 써줘서 고마워, 자기. |
| Exactly, one of them is asking for 3,500, the other one is 3,000... | 맞아, 하나는 3500, 다른 하나는 3000을 내라고 하네... |
| That's fine, I'm almost ready. | 그렇구나, 나도 거의 준비 됐어. |
| That's not nice, Mike! | 마이크, 그러면 안되지! |
| I'm really sorry about that! | 정말 미안해! |
| Hey, before you go... | 잠깐, 가기 전에... |
| The meeting is not the actual problem! | 회의가 중요한 게 아냐! |
| Sorry, I don't have much time, can I tell you the story when I'm back? | 미안해요, 내가 시간이 별로 없어서, 갔다 와서 얘기해줘도 돼요? |
| I'm sure it's where it always is. | 늘 두던 자리에 있을 텐데. |
| Until you just light your cigarette. | 담배에 불 붙일 때 까지는. |