







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 | |
|---|---|
| But it has expired and it has a hole in it. | 근데 유통기한이 지났고 구멍이 나 있어요. |
| Do you mean Rebecca and Cecilia? | 레베카랑 세실리아 말야? |
| Why is that? | 그건 왜 그런데? |
| Yes, it might be, but I'm very busy with some projects these days. | 그래, 그럴 수도 있지만, 나 요즘 프로젝트들로 정말 바빠서. |
| Erm... Yeah... Sure! It's our first anniversary! | 어... 네... 그럼요! 저희 첫번째 결혼기념일이에요! |
| No, she is a uni student in Russia. | 아니, 러시아에서 대학 다녀. |
| I've found 2, too, there aren't many options in Camden Lock. | 나도 2개 찾았어. 캠든 록에는 별로 선택지가 없네. |
| Hope to see you later. | 나중에 봐. |
| Nope, oyster cards are only for transport in London. | 아니, 오이스터 카드는 런던 내 이동에만 쓰여. |
| What's the time, are we early? | 지금 몇 시지, 우리가 일찍 왔나? |
| Of course, she is an angel, do you want to talk to your mum? | 그럼, 그럼, 천사같고 말고, 엄마랑 얘기하고 싶은 게냐? |
| I need some parsley, but it looks a bit limp. | 파슬리가 좀 필요한데 약간 싱싱하지 않아보여. |
| I guess I can meet you there at 20:30, or is it too late? | 레스토랑 앞에서 8시 반쯤에 만날 수 있을 거 같은데, 너무 늦어? |
| Thank you, see you there on Saturday at 13:00. | 감사합니다, 토요일 오후 1시에 뵐게요. |
| Is one bunch enough for you? | 한 뭉치면 되겠어? |
| Is it hay fever? I've got some pills for it! | 꽃가루 알레르기예요? 그거라면 저한테 약이 좀 있는데! |
| Oh really? That's not good. | 아 정말? 그건 별론데. |
| Isn't it faster taking the tube? | 지하철이 더 빠르지 않아? |
| Yeah, I'll have a beer, I guess you want wine, Cate? | 네, 저는 맥주로 하죠. 케이트 너는 와인으로 하려나? |
| I'm happy to hear we have similar music taste! | 우리 음악 취향이 비슷하다니 기쁜걸! |