







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 | |
|---|---|
| No, actually, he is properly toilet trained. | 아냐, 원래는 배변 훈련이 잘 돼있어. |
| And he looks about 3 years old now. | 그런데 고양이가 지금 딱 세 살쯤 돼보이니까. |
| Good boy, Beary! See, he is just a little friend. | 착하다 베어! 보렴, 그냥 작은 친구야. |
| By the way, I like the colour of the walls... What do you think? | 그건 그렇고, 벽지 색깔 예쁘다. 어때? |
| I think I've got a better idea about what to do with the bed! | 난 침대에서 뭘하면 좋을지 더 좋은 생각이 났는데! |
| Well, I hope he doesn't keep on pooping all around the house! | 흠, 온사방에 똥을 누고 다니지만 않으면 좋을텐데! |
| So I want to cook as much as I can now. | 그래서 지금 요리할 수 있는만큼 최대한 해두려고. |
| I don't like smoking in the kitchen. | 난 부엌에서 담배 피는 거 싫어. |
| Erm... I know I snore occasionally, do I snore everyday? | 으음... 간간이 코 곤다는 건 알고 있었지만, 내가 매일 코를 골아? |
| That's why you can't find the answer! | 그러니까 답을 못 찾는 거지! |
| Of course, oh, there is a half-eaten pizza in the oven. | 물론이지, 어, 오븐 안에 반만 먹고 남은 피자가 있어. |
| Okay, how much salt do you want me to add? | 좋아, 소금은 얼마나 칠까? |
| Then people come and complain to me! | 그럼 사람들이 나한테 와서 불평한단 말야! |
| Did I? I don't know... What is it? | 그래? 몰라... 뭘 깜빡했지? |
| Can your mum handle the situation by herself? | 어머니께서 혼자 이겨내실 수 있으셔? |
| Mike, it is a continent! | 마이크, '처럼'이 아니라 대륙 맞아! |
| And now we've got plenty of mushrooms left to use. | 그리고 이제 버섯이 엄청 남았네. |
| Yeah, I guess spring is the worst time for allergies! | 하긴, 봄철이 알레르기에 끔찍하긴 하죠! |
| Oh sorry dear, my husband has some difficulties hearing... | 아유, 미안해라, 우리 남편이 귀가 안 좋아서요... |
| Bear is okay with cats, but definitely not with dogs. | 베어는 고양이하고는 잘 지내는데 개하고는 전혀 아냐. |