







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 | |
|---|---|
| Oh my god! It’s almost 12 o’clock. | 아 세상에! 벌써 12시가 다 돼가네. |
| Eating leftovers during the week saves me some time. | 주중에는 남은 요리만 먹어도 시간을 좀 벌 수 있어. |
| Yes, that's the one. | 응, 그거 맞아요. |
| Hello dear, how is it going, do you need any help? | 안녕 자기. 어떻게 돼 가? 필요한 거 있어? |
| Why? I never put a question mark when I search something! | 그걸 왜? 뭐 검색할 때 물음표 찍은 적 한번도 없어! |
| I can't call him at the moment because his phone is unreachable. | 전화를 안 받아서 지금은 통화가 안돼. |
| My cat is in the garden. | 내 고양이가 정원에 있거든요. |
| I think one room is empty upstairs at the moment. | 윗층에 한 층은 비어있는 것 같아. |
| And he looks about 3 years old now. | 그런데 고양이가 지금 딱 세 살쯤 돼보이니까. |
| Do they weigh them here or at the checkout? | 여기서 저울 달면 돼, 아니면 계산대로 가야 해? |
| Don't worry Mike, I think this one is better. | 걱정마, 마이크. 난 이쪽이 더 좋아. |
| Erm, sorry, but I think you have the wrong Mike... | 어어, 죄송하지만 사람을 잘못 아신 것 같은데요... |
| I don't think you really want me to stay here anymore! | 정말 더는 내가 여기 있길 바라지 않는 모양이구나! |
| I'm sorry guys, there is no negotiation on the rent! | 미안한데 여러분, 집세로 협상할 마음은 없어요! |
| Yes, I think she's great! | 네, 되게 잘 하신다고 봐요! |
| Don't worry Diego, it's not related to you! | 걱정 마요 디에고, 그쪽하고는 상관 없어요! |
| He also wants to increase our rent by 50%! | 집세를 50% 올리겠다잖아! |
| Actually, it's quite urgent for me. | 사실 저한테 꽤 급한 일이지만. |
| You need to press the button down and turn it right. | 버튼을 아래로 누르고 오른쪽으로 돌려야해. |
| Erm... They pay 170 weekly. | 음... 매 주 170파운드를 내요. |