







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 | |
|---|---|
| Sometimes he doesn't even recognize my mum. | 어떨 때는 우리 엄마조차 못 알아봐. |
| What’s their name? | 친구 이름이 뭐예요? |
| How are things going, is everything ok? | 일은 어때, 다 잘 되가? |
| What's your favourite movie? | 네가 제일 좋아하는 영화는 뭐야? |
| Come on, don't cry, she is just a stupid girl! | 그러지 말고, 울지 마, 그냥 저 여자가 이상한 거야! |
| It looks like you've got some experience with coffee. | 커피를 꽤 잘 아는 것 같아 보이는걸. |
| Sorry, I forgot to tell you, you need to turn the tap on very gently. | 미안, 말해주는 걸 깜빡했어. 수도꼭지를 정말 살살 틀어야 돼. |
| Let me check, we only need butter. | 보자, 버터만 더 있으면 돼. |
| I'm just teasing you, dear, 200 degrees is okay! | 좀 놀려봤어요, 자기. 200도면 돼! |
| Isn't Morrison's closer? | 모리슨즈가 더 가깝지 않아? |
| Is it because it's too violent? | 너무 잔인해서 그래? |
| We don't have that system in Brighton yet. | 브라이튼에는 아직 그 시스템이 없어서. |
| Erm.. Isn't it there? | 어... 거기에 있지 않아? |
| I don't like smoking in the kitchen. | 난 부엌에서 담배 피는 거 싫어. |
| But everybody calls him Rocco. | 다들 로코라고 불러요. |
| But I don't know him well. | 잘 아는 사이는 아니네. |
| I mostly work till late at night, I never wake up at 7 in the morning. | 나는 보통 밤 늦게까지 일해서, 아침 7시에는 절대 못 일어나는데. |
| It's very difficult to talk to you on the phone right now. | 너하고 지금 통화하는 거 되게 어려운 상황이야. |
| I'm a bit paranoid about it. | 약간 편집증이 생겨버렸지 뭐야. |
| That's nice, I guess I like the house very much! | 좋은 걸요, 전 이 집이 되게 마음에 들어요! |