







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 | |
|---|---|
| Why don't we pay 100 more each, and get a house in Mayfair? | 인당 100씩 더 내고, 메이페어에 집을 구하는 건 어때? |
| They don't usually work after ten o'clock. | 밤 10시 지나면 보통 끝나거든. |
| Huh, it's quite good money! | 어머, 그건 꽤 액수가 큰데! |
| It's a double room plus we get a cleaner once a week. | 더블룸이고 일주일에 한번씩 청소부가 와. |
| I didn't say it's your fault, but it's your turn now... | 네 잘못이라고는 안 했지, 하지만 차례를 돌릴 때는 되었어... |
| Hello, I'm very sorry dear, I'm a bit late. | 안녕, 정말 미안해 자기, 내가 좀 늦었지. |
| I don't believe you! What's the difference today? | 무슨 소리야! 오늘이라고 뭐가 다르다고? |
| Certainly honey, do you want a glass or a bottle? | 물론이지 얘, 잔으로 줄까, 아님 병? |
| No, I'm a real estate agent. | 아뇨, 저는 부동산 업자입니다. |
| Right! Who wants chardonnay, then? | 좋아! 그럼 샤르도네 마실 사람은? |
| You don’t look like an English teacher to me. | 영어 선생님처럼 안 생겼는데. |
| I think 4000 quid is big enough. | 4천 파운드면 충분히 크지. |
| I'm on my way to Brighton, nearly there! | 브라이튼에 거의 다 도착했어! |
| Then I want to roast it, though. | 하지만 그 다음엔 구웠으면 해. |
| Hmm.. yes, we get on really well. | 흠... 네, 둘이 잘 맞아요. |
| Diego, do you want me to get you anything to eat? | 디에고, 뭐 먹을 거 갖다줄까? |
| So it's definitely not a divorce situation. | 그러니까 이혼 문제는 아닐 텐데. |
| I hope they are going to be here on time, too... I don't like waiting. | 그쪽 사람들도 시간에 맞게 오면 좋겠는데... 기다리는 건 싫다구. |
| But which button? It doesn't show which controls which! | 어느 버튼? 뭐가 뭘 조절하는지 안 나와있는데! |
| Yeah, I think the logo looks much better in the centre, what do you think? | 응, 이 로고 중앙에 두는 게 훨씬 나은 거 같아. 어떻게 생각해? |