







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 | |
|---|---|
| Hello there, are you Cate? | 안녕하세요, 그쪽이 케이트예요? |
| Really? I don't want to ruin your plan, but... | 정말? 계획을 망치고 싶지는 않은데, 그렇지만... |
| They're there, under the duvet. | 저기 이불 밑에 있네. |
| I hope they are going to be here on time, too... I don't like waiting. | 그쪽 사람들도 시간에 맞게 오면 좋겠는데... 기다리는 건 싫다구. |
| Okay, what temperature do you want me to set it at? | 좋아, 몇 도로 설정하면 되겠어? |
| Don't you think two forks are enough for us? | 포크 두 개면 충분하지 않아? |
| Upstairs, there is Diego and a British couple next to him. | 윗층에는 디에고랑 그 옆에 영국인 커플이 살아. |
| You don't know the story behind it. | 네가 비하인드 스토리를 몰라서 그래. |
| How are things going, is everything ok? | 일은 어때, 다 잘 되가? |
| Yeah, that's a good idea. | 오, 좋은 생각인데. |
| Let me check... Yes, there are some plates. | 보자... 응, 접시는 몇 개 있어. |
| What's the time, are we early? | 지금 몇 시지, 우리가 일찍 왔나? |
| And we have to weigh everything by ourselves, etcetera. | 그리고 무게도 직접 다 재야 되고, 뭐 그렇잖아. |
| I feel a bit tired and very hungry. | 약간 피곤하고 되게 배고파서. |
| Hi there, it's not Dick, it's Nick... Starts with N. | 안녕하세요, 니기미는 아니고, 닉입니다... 받침이 기역이죠. |
| What’s their name? | 친구 이름이 뭐예요? |
| Do you want me to tell her that you are here? | 네가 왔다고 말해줄까? |
| I'm sorry guys, there is no negotiation on the rent! | 미안한데 여러분, 집세로 협상할 마음은 없어요! |
| Here you go sir, this is your receipt and your £20 cashback. | 여기 있습니다. 영수증과 20파운드 캐시백이에요. |
| Well, not really! I don't like cooking much. | 어, 그건 아니. 난 요리 별로 안 좋아하거든. |