







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 | |
|---|---|
| Of course, I researched it well, it's 525 metres. | 응, 잘 조사해뒀지. 525 미터야. |
| Is it because of the cost, or another reason? | 경비 때문에 그래, 아님 다른 이유가 있어? |
| I am alone till my friend comes. | 나는 친구 올 때까지 혼자인데. |
| Sorry, I don't have much time, can I tell you the story when I'm back? | 미안해요, 내가 시간이 별로 없어서, 갔다 와서 얘기해줘도 돼요? |
| I guess I can meet you there at 20:30, or is it too late? | 레스토랑 앞에서 8시 반쯤에 만날 수 있을 거 같은데, 너무 늦어? |
| Are you the only smoker in the house? | 이 건물에 담배 피우는 사람 너 밖에 없어? |
| Yeah, I wonder if we share the same taste in movies! | 그러게, 우리 영화 취향도 비슷하려나! |
| As I said, it's much easier to open with two people. | 말했죠, 두 사람이 하면 훨씬 열기 쉽다고. |
| They don't usually work after ten o'clock. | 밤 10시 지나면 보통 끝나거든. |
| Yes, it's in Piccadilly Circus right in the centre. | 응, 딱 중앙에 피카딜리 서커스에 있어. |
| I've got a meeting with some people. | 사람들하고 미팅 잡힌 게 있어서. |
| I really don't want to see her again! | 그 여자는 다시는 보고 싶지 않아! |
| I was just joking, how are you? | 농담해 본 거야. 좀 어떻게 지냈어? |
| Why don't you get it then? Do you want to see upstairs or not? | 그럼 그 집으로 하지 그래요? 위층은 볼 거예요 말 거예요? |
| It makes all of our clothes stink! | 그럼 옷가지에 다 냄새가 밸 거 아냐! |
| I think one room is empty upstairs at the moment. | 윗층에 한 층은 비어있는 것 같아. |
| Are you serious? | 진심? |
| There is nothing under 3,000 in Angel! | 엔젤에는 3000 밑으로 아무 데도 없어! |
| Normally, it's much more expensive than the other ones. | 보통은 다른 것보다 훨씬 더 비싼데. |
| Yes, he is one of them. | 응, 그 일 해. |