







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 | |
|---|---|
| Do you go to the Windmill often? | 윈드밀 자주 가요? |
| My housemates don't clean anything in the kitchen. | 우리 하우스메이트들은 부엌에 있는 건 아무것도 안 치운다구. |
| What else do we need? | 또 뭐가 필요하지? |
| Hi, I don't think it's broken. | 안녕하세요, 부러진 것 같진 않은데. |
| Come on dear, I know you want me to! | 에이, 왜 이러셔, 내가 오길 바라면서! |
| Is that what you want me to do? | 나보고 그러라는 거야? |
| Here you can take it, be careful, it's very hot. | 여기 가져가. 조심하고, 뜨거우니까. |
| Can your mum handle the situation by herself? | 어머니께서 혼자 이겨내실 수 있으셔? |
| I'm really sorry to hear that, mate! | 아이고, 그건 정말 유감이네! |
| I think we need to put some of your clothes away. | 자기 옷은 어디로 좀 치워놔야 할 거 같아. |
| You can ask whatever you want to know. | 궁금한 거 있으면 아무거나 물어봐. |
| Sure! Why is it so important to you? | 그러죠! 그게 왜 당신한테 그렇게 중요한데요? |
| Yeah, I'll have a beer, I guess you want wine, Cate? | 네, 저는 맥주로 하죠. 케이트 너는 와인으로 하려나? |
| Hmm, I like pop, rock, funk. | 음, 난 팝이나 락, 펑크가 좋아. |
| I see, I love cooking! | 그렇구나. 난 요리 정말 좋아하는데! |
| I think the price is very cheap. | 되게 싼 것 같아. |
| It makes all of our clothes stink! | 그럼 옷가지에 다 냄새가 밸 거 아냐! |
| Hang on a minute, they are both 300 gr and the same brand. | 잠시만, 둘다 300그램에 같은 브랜드인데. |
| It's not a big deal but it's quite an important thing to mention. | 나한테 중요한 일은 아니어도 말해줄 만큼은 중요한 일인 거잖아. |
| And these days, I go to that pub quite often. | 요즘 그 술집에 자주 가요. |