







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, I haven't, I don't know what's yours in the fridge. | 아니, 네 냉장고에서 뭐가 네 건지를 모르겠어서. |
| I don't know, probably put it in the bin. | 몰라, 쓰레기통에 버리든가 했겠지. |
| The ones at the bottom look fresher. | 바닥에 깔린 게 더 신선해 보여. |
| Hope to see you later. | 나중에 봐. |
| Whose cat?... Do you mean my cat? | 누구 고양이 말예요?...내 고양이 말인가? |
| Who is Mike, darling? | 얘, 마이크는 누구야? |
| Do they weigh them here or at the checkout? | 여기서 저울 달면 돼, 아니면 계산대로 가야 해? |
| But before we go, can you call them and ask if they are okay with pets? | 하지만 가기 전에, 전화 해서 그 사람들은 반려동물 신경 안 쓰는지 물어봐줄래? |
| So it's definitely not a divorce situation. | 그러니까 이혼 문제는 아닐 텐데. |
| Maybe we can get something on the way to the station. | 역에 가는 길에 뭐라도 좀 사먹을까? |
| Do your parents live in London, too? | 부모님께서도 런던에 사셔? |
| Erm, by the way, since we are on the subject... | 어, 근데 말이지, 말 나온 김에 말인데... |
| There is also some cheese, but it's a bit mouldy. | 치즈도 좀 있는데 곰팡이가 살짝 폈더라고. |
| So it comes to 2,800 a month! | 그럼 월 2800 파운드인 거잖아! |
| Oh f*ck, what kind of tap is this? | 아, 젠장, 무슨 수도꼭지가 이래? |
| Do we have a mortar and pestle? | 사발하고 막자 있어? |
| Okay, how much salt do you want me to add? | 좋아, 소금은 얼마나 칠까? |
| Hmm.. yes, I need mushrooms, stock, celery... | 으음... 맞아, 버섯하고, 육수, 셀러리... |
| No, I don't have one! | 아뇨, 없어요! |
| Alright, I think I know who he is... | 아하, 알긴 아는데... |