







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 | |
|---|---|
| I agree, long flights aren't very pleasant. | 그건 맞아, 비행기 오래 타는 건 별로 즐거운 경험이 아니지. |
| Of course, I researched it well, it's 525 metres. | 응, 잘 조사해뒀지. 525 미터야. |
| Here you can take it, be careful, it's very hot. | 여기 가져가. 조심하고, 뜨거우니까. |
| I really don't want to see her again! | 그 여자는 다시는 보고 싶지 않아! |
| That's a good question! | 좋은 질문이야! |
| Oh sorry dear, my husband has some difficulties hearing... | 아유, 미안해라, 우리 남편이 귀가 안 좋아서요... |
| Hmm.. yes, I need mushrooms, stock, celery... | 으음... 맞아, 버섯하고, 육수, 셀러리... |
| He's a... Sorry Mike, what do you do? | 뭘 하냐면... 미안한데 마이크, 너 직업이 뭐지? |
| Does that help you to believe me? | 이제 좀 내 말이 믿어져? |
| This is the last one and, unfortunately, it has a hole in it. | 이게 마지막 건데, 애석하게도 구멍이 나 있군. |
| Oh god, I feel too tired now. | 아이고, 이제 너무 피곤해. |
| Is it because it's too violent? | 너무 잔인해서 그래? |
| That's a very interesting combination. | 되게 재밌는 조합이네. |
| I'm really sorry about that! | 정말 미안해! |
| Can you stop acting like I always ask for money? | 너는 내가 맨날 돈 빌리는 사람으로 보이냐? |
| No, this one is the shop's own brand, that's why it's not expensive. | 아냐, 이건 이 가게 브랜드라서 안 비싼 거야. |
| Okay, we have all the things we need, then. | 좋아, 그럼 필요한 건 다 있어. |
| Anyway, this is Cate and her friends from work. | 아무튼, 이쪽은 케이트랑 직장 동료분들. |
| And he looks about 3 years old now. | 그런데 고양이가 지금 딱 세 살쯤 돼보이니까. |
| Oh, sorry, I didn't know I wasn't allowed to order what I want! | 아, 미안해라, 내가 먹고싶은 걸 주문해서는 안되는 줄 모르고 있었네! |