







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 | |
|---|---|
| They don't usually work after ten o'clock. | 밤 10시 지나면 보통 끝나거든. |
| To me, wasting it is weirder! | 내 생각에는 기껏 생긴 걸 버리는 게 더 이상해! |
| Do your parents live in London, too? | 부모님께서도 런던에 사셔? |
| Do you really think it looks like we have a cleaner? | 정말 청소부가 있는 것처럼 보여? |
| I'm really amazed by the structure of this station. | 이 역 구조가 정말 대단한걸. |
| I hope it's not related to me! | 나랑은 상관 없는 일이길 바라! |
| I'm a bit paranoid about it. | 약간 편집증이 생겨버렸지 뭐야. |
| For the risotto, I need some arborio rice. | 리조또를 하려면 아보리오 쌀이 필요한데. |
| I hope you are aware it's your last 3 days to find a house... | 집 구할 수 있는 날이 사흘 밖에 안 남았다는 건 너도 알겠지만... |
| Nope, as I said before, they live in Australia. | 응, 얘기했다시피, 호주에 살아. |
| In these cases, Pogo stays home alone with no food and no attention. | 그럴 때면 포고는 집에서 혼자 밥도 관심도 없이 지내는 거야. |
| Unfortunately, I don't have one! Where is yours? | 안타깝게도, 그런 거 없어! 네 건 어딨는데? |
| Hello, my name is Mike, I'm Cate's boyfriend... | 안녕하세요, 제 이름은 마이크고요, 케이트의 남자친구... |
| What's your maximum monthly budget for the rent? | 방값으로 한달에 최대 얼마쯤 잡고 있어? |
| Yes, he is one of them. | 응, 그 일 해. |
| I'm really sorry about that! | 정말 미안해! |
| Toby! This is Cate, she is my... friend, from London. | 토비! 이쪽은 케이트야. 내... 친구야. 런던에서 온. |
| Do you feel a bit better now? | 기분은 좀 나아졌어? |
| Normally, it's much more expensive than the other ones. | 보통은 다른 것보다 훨씬 더 비싼데. |
| Erm... They pay 170 weekly. | 음... 매 주 170파운드를 내요. |