







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 | |
|---|---|
| He wants to, but tonight it's impossible. | 그러려고 했는데, 오늘밤은 안되겠어요. |
| No, it's not okay, I'm screwed now! | 아니, 안 괜찮아. 나 완전히 엿됐어! |
| Hello guys, is it possible to make a little less noise? | 안녕 여러분, 소리 좀 낮춰줄 수 있어요? |
| Hm, okay... I think I got it, is it like Pinocchio? | 흐음, 좋아... 알 것 같아. 피노키오 같은 거네? |
| Hey, before you go... | 잠깐, 가기 전에... |
| No, this one is the shop's own brand, that's why it's not expensive. | 아냐, 이건 이 가게 브랜드라서 안 비싼 거야. |
| Yeah, I guess spring is the worst time for allergies! | 하긴, 봄철이 알레르기에 끔찍하긴 하죠! |
| It won't change anything, but reminding me is stressing me out! | 달라지는 건 없어도 자꾸 말하면 스트레스 받는다고! |
| And he looks about 3 years old now. | 그런데 고양이가 지금 딱 세 살쯤 돼보이니까. |
| That's a good choice, they do great calamari here, too. | 좋은 선택이야. 여기 오징어도 굉장히 맛있거든. |
| That's why you can't find the answer! | 그러니까 답을 못 찾는 거지! |
| It's like, the bus you are waiting for never comes. | 요컨대, 기다리던 버스는 절대 안 오지. |
| Yes, I like them, too. | 응, 그것도 좋아하지. |
| Are you with your friends? | 친구들하고 왔어? |
| So I want to cook as much as I can now. | 그래서 지금 요리할 수 있는만큼 최대한 해두려고. |
| Yeah, and the market is good, is Camden Lock in zone-2 or 3? | 그래, 그리고 캠든 마켓도 좋지. 캠든 록이 구역 2야, 아니면 3이야? |
| I only have 3 hours today. | 오늘은 3시간만 하면 돼. |
| That's not nice, Mike! | 마이크, 그러면 안되지! |
| We're out tonight for Laura. | 오늘은 로라를 위해 나온 거야. |
| Hi, is your cat okay? | 안녕, 그쪽 고양이는 괜찮아요? |