







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 | |
|---|---|
| Oh, your girlfriend's cat... Does she live here with you? | 아, 여자친구분 고양이라... 여기서 같이 사시는 거예요? |
| Ah, I'm very sorry, but we're fully booked tonight! | 아, 무척 죄송하지만 오늘 저녁은 만석이라서요! |
| I hope your friends don't mind. | 친구분들이 신경 안 쓰면 좋겠는데. |
| Hmm.. I think it's overdue. | 어라... 지난 것 같은데. |
| Hello, what kind of dog do you have, Mike? | 안녕, 어느 개 길러요, 마이크? |
| Oh Jesus Christ... I get it now! That's disgusting... | 아 하나님 맙소사... 이제 알겠다! 더러워 진짜... |
| He hasn't realised that we are at a vet yet. | 아직 동물병원인 걸 눈치 못채고 있네. |
| Yes, it is, but yours isn't so obvious. | 그건 맞지만, 네 억양은 그렇게 세진 않아. |
| What kind of trick is that? | 잔꾀라니 무슨 소리야? |
| Is there a garlic crusher, then? | 그럼 마늘 분쇄기는 없어? |
| Can you stop acting like I always ask for money? | 너는 내가 맨날 돈 빌리는 사람으로 보이냐? |
| In the recipe it says 600g. | 레시피에는 600g이래. |
| Do you like red or white onions? | 적양파가 좋아, 흰 양파가 좋아? |
| I like girls' nights out. | 여자들 외출 좋지. |
| And this is my girlfriend, Cate. | 이쪽은 제 여자친구, 케이트입니다. |
| Thank god there is nothing to worry about. | 천만다행으로, 걱정할 일 없어. |
| Erm, we don't have any, but there is someone else's bread. | 음, 내 건 없는데, 남의 빵은 있지. |
| It's on the Northern line, the same one we use here. | 노던 라인이야, 우리가 여기서 쓰는 거랑 똑같이. |
| But which button? It doesn't show which controls which! | 어느 버튼? 뭐가 뭘 조절하는지 안 나와있는데! |
| I feel a bit tired and very hungry. | 약간 피곤하고 되게 배고파서. |