







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 | |
|---|---|
| Of course, there are 4 girls, all uni students from Germany. | 물론이죠, 여자 분이 4분 계시는데, 모두 독일에서 온 대학생이고요. |
| That's why the rent is much lower than average. | 그러니까 평균보다 값이 훨씬 싼 거예요. |
| I think that *hand caught on fire* thing is a joke! | 손에 불이 붙었다는 거 농담 같단 말야! |
| It sounds like a good deal. | 좋은 생각 같은걸. |
| Do you want me to wash the wine bottle before I pour it? | 와인 따르기 전에 병도 씻을까? |
| Hello, is that Cate? | 여보세요, 케이트야? |
| Thank god there is nothing to worry about. | 천만다행으로, 걱정할 일 없어. |
| Mike, 250 degrees is the highest! | 마이크, 250도가 최고 온도야! |
| Do you really think it looks like we have a cleaner? | 정말 청소부가 있는 것처럼 보여? |
| Erm, by the way, since we are on the subject... | 어, 근데 말이지, 말 나온 김에 말인데... |
| It's not much less... There is a slight difference! | 훨씬 적은 게 아니라... 미묘한 차이일 뿐이에요! |
| Well, that's another problem! | 그러니까 문제란 말이지! |
| So it comes to 2,800 a month! | 그럼 월 2800 파운드인 거잖아! |
| My laptop is in it. | 안에 내 노트북 있어. |
| Thanks for being thoughtful, dear. | 신경 써줘서 고마워, 자기. |
| What about that table? It looks better. | 저 테이블은 안되나요? 더 좋아보이는데. |
| I'm so sorry about the inconvenience. | 불편을 끼쳐드려서 정말 미안합니다. |
| You know, I usually have some early morning lessons. | 난 보통 아침 일찍 수업이 있잖아. |
| By the way, I like the colour of the walls... What do you think? | 그건 그렇고, 벽지 색깔 예쁘다. 어때? |
| Sorry to ask, but are you on your period or something? | 물어봐서 미안하지만, 현재 생리 중이거나 한 거야? |