







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 | |
|---|---|
| What do you think about him, Cate? | 그 사람 어떤 거 같아, 케이트? |
| I think you wake me up more often than mosquitoes do! | 사실 네가 모기보다 나를 밤에 더 많이 깨우는 거 같아! |
| How is there four of us? | 어떻게 사람이 네 명이 돼? |
| Eating leftovers during the week saves me some time. | 주중에는 남은 요리만 먹어도 시간을 좀 벌 수 있어. |
| No, we drain pasta with a grater. | 아니, 우리는 파스타 물 뺄 때 강판을 쓰걸랑. |
| Erm... While your hands are already dirty... | 음... 이미 손을 버린 김에... |
| What is it about? | 무슨 내용인데? |
| Well, that's another problem! | 그러니까 문제란 말이지! |
| Well, one of them is 2,800, but bills are not included... | 음, 하나는 2800 파운드인데, 관리비는 미포함이고... |
| Oh, okay, is there a problem with your house? | 아, 그래요. 집에 뭔가 문제라도 있나요? |
| Actually, it's quite urgent for me. | 사실 저한테 꽤 급한 일이지만. |
| And on the ground floor we have easy access to the garden. | 그리고 1층에 살면 정원에 쉽게 드나들 수 있잖아. |
| Do they weigh them here or at the checkout? | 여기서 저울 달면 돼, 아니면 계산대로 가야 해? |
| Well this is how it is... do you want to see upstairs? | 글쎄, 그렇게 돼있는 걸 어쩌겠어요. 위층도 보겠어요? |
| He is one of my best friends, unfortunately. | 슬프게도, 제 절친 중 한 명이랍니다. |
| How is it my fault? | 그게 어떻게 내 탓이야? |
| Hey, there is a stranger in the toilet, who is he? | 어라, 화장실에 모르는 사람이 있는데, 누구지? |
| No, I'm not lying! I never lie. | 거짓말 아냐! 난 거짓말 안해. |
| Erm... You look about 30? | 흠... 한 서른 정도? |
| Excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom. | 미안하지만, 난 화장실을 좀 써야겠어요. |