







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 | |
|---|---|
| She is doing well, we have 3 months left to go. | 다 괜찮아, 이제 3개월 남았지. |
| Erm, I can't work it out, I guess it's more than 150 years old. | 엄, 계산은 안되지만, 150년이 넘는 것 같은데. |
| So, it's obvious you have no clue how much renting a house costs. | 그러니까, 집 구하려면 얼마나 돈을 내야 하는지 네가 전혀 감이 없다는 게 드러났네. |
| What about that table? It looks better. | 저 테이블은 안되나요? 더 좋아보이는데. |
| We don't have that system in Brighton yet. | 브라이튼에는 아직 그 시스템이 없어서. |
| Is that a crack in the bath? | 저건 욕조에 금이 간 건가요? |
| If you are going to ask for money, I don't have any, either. | 돈 빌리려고 그러는 거면, 나도 없어. |
| My housemates don't clean anything in the kitchen. | 우리 하우스메이트들은 부엌에 있는 건 아무것도 안 치운다구. |
| I think we need to put some of your clothes away. | 자기 옷은 어디로 좀 치워놔야 할 거 같아. |
| There is a little market near the school. | 학교 근처에 작은 슈퍼마켓이 있는데. |
| Yeah, it's a very popular restaurant. | 응, 엄청 인기있는 레스토랑이니까. |
| Yeah, it's quite a big country, more like a continent. | 하긴, 꽤 큰 나라니까. 거의 대륙처럼. |
| No, this one is the shop's own brand, that's why it's not expensive. | 아냐, 이건 이 가게 브랜드라서 안 비싼 거야. |
| Are there any fries or any kind of snacks? | 튀김이나 다른 안주 뭐 있어? |
| Is she here with you? | 너랑 같이 살아? |
| Hmm, I guess it's a bit old, but it's still my favourite. | 흠, 좀 고전이긴 하지만, 그래도 내가 제일 좋아하는 작품은. |
| Do they weigh them here or at the checkout? | 여기서 저울 달면 돼, 아니면 계산대로 가야 해? |
| I mean, do you cook Asian or other kinds of cuisines? | 아, 뭐 아시아 요리나 다른 요리 하는 건 없고? |
| Do you think electric stoves are better? | 전기 스토브가 가스레인지보다 낫다고 생각해? |
| That's so sad, how old are your parents? | 아, 그건 너무 슬프다. 부모님 연세가 어떻게 되셔? |