







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 | |
|---|---|
| That's why you have a headache now! | 그러니까 지금 머리가 아프지. |
| Well, it's about a kid, I mean a robot. | 그러니까 어떤 아이가 있는데, 아니 로봇이. |
| Is it Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus? | 라이체스터 스퀘어야, 피카딜리 서커스야? |
| No, actually, he is properly toilet trained. | 아냐, 원래는 배변 훈련이 잘 돼있어. |
| Well, instead of chicken you can try the duck, it's yummy! | 그럼, 닭 대신에 오리를 먹어보면 되지, 맛있다니까! |
| Look, there is a shop assistant. | 봐, 저기 가게 종업원이 있다. |
| Why? I never put a question mark when I search something! | 그걸 왜? 뭐 검색할 때 물음표 찍은 적 한번도 없어! |
| It's very difficult for me to go there more than once a year. | 1년에 한 번 이상 가는 건 너무 어려운 일이라서. |
| Of course! It's my favourite pub. | 당연하죠! 내가 제일 좋아하는 술집인데. |
| Actually, it's quite urgent for me. | 사실 저한테 꽤 급한 일이지만. |
| Hey Mike, you look so worried! | 어이 마이크, 얼굴에 걱정이 가득한데! |
| I'm really sorry about that! | 정말 미안해! |
| That's nice, the cupboards look good, the bench is okay... | 좋네요, 찬장도 좋아보이고, 식탁도 괜찮고... |
| I prefer red onions. | 나는 적양파가 좋아. |
| Isn't it faster taking the tube? | 지하철이 더 빠르지 않아? |
| You don't know the story behind it. | 네가 비하인드 스토리를 몰라서 그래. |
| The ones at the bottom look fresher. | 바닥에 깔린 게 더 신선해 보여. |
| I like the seafood restaurants there. | 거기 해물 레스토랑 좋더라. |
| Yes, I'm here waiting for good news. | 네, 좋은 소식 기다리고 있어요. |
| It's usually at the top right of your screen. | 보통 화면 우측 상단에 있어요. |