







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 | |
|---|---|
| Do you live around here? | 이 주변 살아요? |
| Here you go sir, this is your receipt and your £20 cashback. | 여기 있습니다. 영수증과 20파운드 캐시백이에요. |
| But it has expired and it has a hole in it. | 근데 유통기한이 지났고 구멍이 나 있어요. |
| It's all about my lovely little cat, Pogo. | 내 사랑스러운 고양이 포고 문제인 거지. |
| Look at the shelf, the price tag says £2.20 a kilo. | 선반을 봐, 가격표에 1kg당 2.20파운드라고 적혀있어. |
| Is she here with you? | 너랑 같이 살아? |
| Of course, oh, there is a half-eaten pizza in the oven. | 물론이지, 어, 오븐 안에 반만 먹고 남은 피자가 있어. |
| Yes, the guy with the beard is Mike. | 응, 수염 기른 남자가 마이크야. |
| Yeah, I guess spring is the worst time for allergies! | 하긴, 봄철이 알레르기에 끔찍하긴 하죠! |
| Yeah, it's not common, but that's what it says in the recipe. | 그래, 흔치는 않지만, 레시피가 그렇게 말하는 걸. |
| Hope to see you later. | 나중에 봐. |
| I don't know, probably put it in the bin. | 몰라, 쓰레기통에 버리든가 했겠지. |
| What do you expect English teachers to look like? | 영어 선생님은 어떻게 생겼다고 생각하길래요? |
| We're out tonight for Laura. | 오늘은 로라를 위해 나온 거야. |
| Erm... You look about 30? | 흠... 한 서른 정도? |
| What's the time, are we early? | 지금 몇 시지, 우리가 일찍 왔나? |
| Well, that's another problem! | 그러니까 문제란 말이지! |
| I'm sorry to say that no pets are allowed in the house! | 미안하지만 이 건물에는 애완동물은 들일 수 없어요! |
| No, I'm not lying! I never lie. | 거짓말 아냐! 난 거짓말 안해. |
| Anyway, my lesson is starting now, I have to go. | 아무튼, 곧 수업이 시작해. 가봐야겠어. |