







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 is that? | 그건 왜 그런데? |
| Yes, that's a good idea. | 응, 좋은 생각인걸. |
| Hey, which is the closest station to China Town? | 있지, 차이나타운에 제일 가까운 역이 어디야? |
| That's where Diego works, too! | 디에고도 거기서 일하는데! |
| He is 70 and my mum is 64. | 아빠는 70이고, 엄마는 64이야. |
| Mike, 250 degrees is the highest! | 마이크, 250도가 최고 온도야! |
| So I don't snore everyday... | 그럼 매일 곤다는 건 아니네... |
| How many people live in this house? | 이 집에 몇이나 살아? |
| The ones at the bottom look fresher. | 바닥에 깔린 게 더 신선해 보여. |
| But one of them is £2.44 and the other one is £1.22. | 근데 하나는 2.44파운드이고 다른 하나는 1.22파운드야. |
| It only takes 15 or 20 minutes. | 한 15에서 20분 정도 밖에 안 걸릴 거야. |
| Well, not really! I don't like cooking much. | 어, 그건 아니. 난 요리 별로 안 좋아하거든. |
| It's usually at the top right of your screen. | 보통 화면 우측 상단에 있어요. |
| Well, instead of chicken you can try the duck, it's yummy! | 그럼, 닭 대신에 오리를 먹어보면 되지, 맛있다니까! |
| What's your plan, Cate? | 케이트, 이제 뭐할 거야? |
| I think we need to put some of your clothes away. | 자기 옷은 어디로 좀 치워놔야 할 거 같아. |
| Is that right? | 맞지? |
| But I don't think I can use them all, there are too many! | 하지만 다 쓰기에는 너무 많은 것 같아! |
| I don't think it's normal, do you think it's normal? | 정상이 아닌 거 같아. 네 생각엔 어때? |
| Sorry Mrs. Jones, there is a misunderstanding... | 죄송합니다, 존스 부인, 오해가 있었던 것 같은데요... |