







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 | |
|---|---|
| It definitely costs a lot, but that's not the only problem. | 돈도 돈이지만, 문제가 그것만은 아냐. |
| Who knows, I consider it as nothing more than a hobby. | 글쎄, 그냥 취미로 여기고 있긴 한데. |
| Are you sure she is from Australia? | 진짜 호주출신이 맞아? |
| I want him to check the heaters in the rooms while he is here! | 수리공이 온 김에 방에 난방기도 점검받으려고 하니까 그렇습니다! |
| Australia is very strict with its customs rules. | 호주는 관세규칙이 정말 빡빡하단 말야. |
| Maybe we can get something on the way to the station. | 역에 가는 길에 뭐라도 좀 사먹을까? |
| Yes, it is, but yours isn't so obvious. | 그건 맞지만, 네 억양은 그렇게 세진 않아. |
| No worries, I am not together with Mike. | 그리고 걱정 말아요, 마이크랑 사귀는 사이 아니니까. |
| I see, I love cooking! | 그렇구나. 난 요리 정말 좋아하는데! |
| How do you want me to chop the onions, big or small? | 양파는 어떻게 썰면 되겠어, 크게 아니면 작게? |
| Do you live around here? | 이 주변 살아요? |
| Yes, Bear eats one and a half cats everyday for breakfast. | 맞아. 베어는 아침마다 1.5마리의 고양이를 먹어치운다구. |
| Of course, she is an angel, do you want to talk to your mum? | 그럼, 그럼, 천사같고 말고, 엄마랑 얘기하고 싶은 게냐? |
| I searched: does Pinocchio know he is not a real boy. | 피노키오는 자기가 진짜 아이가 아니라는 걸 아나요, 라고 검색했어. |
| I wish you all the best. | 다 잘되길 빌어요. |
| Of course, there are 4 girls, all uni students from Germany. | 물론이죠, 여자 분이 4분 계시는데, 모두 독일에서 온 대학생이고요. |
| Yes, the guy with the beard is Mike. | 응, 수염 기른 남자가 마이크야. |
| What kind of music do you like the most? | 너는 어떤 음악 제일 좋아해? |
| I'm on my way to Brighton, nearly there! | 브라이튼에 거의 다 도착했어! |
| Thank god there is nothing to worry about. | 천만다행으로, 걱정할 일 없어. |