







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 | |
|---|---|
| As they say, time is the best medicine. | 옛말에 시간이 약이라고 하잖아. |
| Do we have to do that every time we need to open the door? | 문을 열 때마다 방금처럼 해야 하는 거예요? |
| Yeah, I've got it! | 응, 찾았어! |
| That's right, we should never forget how irresponsible my housemates are. | 맞아, 내 하우스메이트들이 얼마나 무책임한지 결코 잊어서는 안 되는데. |
| That's a good question! | 좋은 질문이야! |
| I think one room is empty upstairs at the moment. | 윗층에 한 층은 비어있는 것 같아. |
| When you stop believing we can get a house in Mayfair for 2,400! | 2400 파운드로 메이페어에 집을 얻을 수 있다는 믿음을 버리면 그만 놀릴 거야! |
| That's why you can't find the answer! | 그러니까 답을 못 찾는 거지! |
| Pogo is my little cat, is there a problem with that? | 포고는 제 반려묘예요, 뭔가 문제라도 있나요? |
| Because I'm sure they don't serve bugs in London! | 런던에서 벌레를 팔 리가 없잖아! |
| My landlords are a gay couple. | 우리 집주인 게이 커플이야. |
| Okay, so do you want me to make 3 serves? | 좋아, 그럼 3인분을 만들면 되는 거지? |
| Excuse me ma'am, here is an undamaged packet of rice for you. | 실례하겠습니다, 여기 손상되지 않은 봉투의 쌀을 드릴게요. |
| This is my boyfriend, Mike. | 이쪽은 제 남자친구, 마이크예요. |
| Okay, I don't like cooking, but I like tasting food. | 좋아, 난 요리는 안 좋아하지만, 음식 맛 보는 건 좋아하니까. |
| Sorry, I forgot to tell you, you need to turn the tap on very gently. | 미안, 말해주는 걸 깜빡했어. 수도꼭지를 정말 살살 틀어야 돼. |
| Very nice! I hope he doesn't do it all the time! | 멋있기도 해라! 항상 그러는 건 아니면 좋겠는데! |
| Look at the shelf, the price tag says £2.20 a kilo. | 선반을 봐, 가격표에 1kg당 2.20파운드라고 적혀있어. |
| Where is Flora, isn't she here? | 플로라는 어딨어. 여기 없어? |
| Eating leftovers during the week saves me some time. | 주중에는 남은 요리만 먹어도 시간을 좀 벌 수 있어. |