







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 | |
|---|---|
| Yeah, it's not common, but that's what it says in the recipe. | 그래, 흔치는 않지만, 레시피가 그렇게 말하는 걸. |
| Sorry, is it possible to see it this Saturday after 2 o'clock? | 죄송합니다. 이번 토요일 오후 2시 이후에 집을 볼 수 있을까요? |
| I'm sorry but I have bad news about the room... | 미안하지만 방 관련해서 안 좋은 소식이 있어서... |
| How is your mum, does she have any health problems? | 어머니는 어떠셔, 어디 아픈 곳이 있으셔? |
| Yes, that's the one. | 응, 그거 맞아요. |
| Do you expect me to make the room bigger by pushing the walls out? | 벽을 사방으로 밀어서 방을 더 크게 만들어 주기라도 바라는 거야? |
| That's bad, do you have a cold? | 저런, 안됐어요, 감기에 걸린 거예요? |
| I can't imagine myself being on a plane for that long! | 그렇게나 오래 비행기를 탄다니 나라면 절대 못해! |
| There are some vending machines in the station. | 역에 자판기가 좀 있을 텐데. |
| Is there anything else I can do for you, love? | 다른 거 필요한 건 없구, 자기? |
| Mike, it is a continent! | 마이크, '처럼'이 아니라 대륙 맞아! |
| Also, I think we all need to leave soon. | 실은, 우리 모두 곧 가야할 걸. |
| My husband and I really appreciate it. | 남편도 저도 정말 감사한 마음이에요. |
| Is she here with you? | 너랑 같이 살아? |
| Oh, sorry! You don't like cleaning things, I can do it. | 아, 미안! 너 뭘 씻고 하는 거 싫어하지, 내가 할게. |
| But he hisses occasionally, is it normal? | 하지만 가끔 하악질을 하는데, 정상이야? |
| How is it my fault? | 그게 어떻게 내 탓이야? |
| Cate, are you okay? You seem a little bit aggressive. | 케이트, 괜찮아? 좀 날카로워 보인다. |
| Yeah, it's better not to fully fill the bath, it leaks downstairs. | 그래요, 물은 꽉 채워서 받으면 안돼요, 안 그러면 아래층으로 물이 새니까. |
| I guess he wants to drink some water. | 물이나 좀 마시고 싶은 모양이야. |