







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 | |
|---|---|
| Is the first one washing the dishes or cleaning? | 첫번째는 설거지야, 청소야? |
| What do you think, dear, do you like it, too? | 자기 생각은 어때, 마음에 들어? |
| I'm really sorry to hear that, mate! | 아이고, 그건 정말 유감이네! |
| It's not much less... There is a slight difference! | 훨씬 적은 게 아니라... 미묘한 차이일 뿐이에요! |
| So it's definitely not a divorce situation. | 그러니까 이혼 문제는 아닐 텐데. |
| 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? |
| You sound like a mix of British and Australian. | 영국하고 호주가 좀 섞인 느낌인데. |
| Hello madam, are you still on the line? | 안녕하세요 부인, 아직 계신가요? |
| Isn't Morrison's closer? | 모리슨즈가 더 가깝지 않아? |
| Yeah, he is keen on moving house... | 응, 옮기고 싶어하는 마음이 있는데... |
| Sorry, the line is very bad! | 미안, 통화연결이 안 좋아! |
| I usually take the train. | 보통 기차 타고 가지. |
| Do you want me to wash the wine bottle before I pour it? | 와인 따르기 전에 병도 씻을까? |
| There is a robot in a kid's body, but he doesn't know he's a robot. | 아이의 몸을 한 로봇이 있는 거지, 그런데 자기가 로봇인 줄 모르는 거야. |
| Exactly, so do you think snails are bugs or not? | 바로 그거야. 그래서 달팽이는 벌레야 아니야? |
| In the recipe it says 600g. | 레시피에는 600g이래. |
| No, I won't... I don't want a house in Mayfair anymore! | 안 할 거야... 더는 메이페어에 있는 집을 구하고 싶지 않아! |
| How dare he... He is so stupid!!! | 어떻게 감히... 정말 몰지각한 사람이야!!! |
| Or worse, sometimes they throw a party at home! | 아니면 아예 집에서 파티를 해버린다니까! |
| Yes, I'm here waiting for good news. | 네, 좋은 소식 기다리고 있어요. |