







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 | |
|---|---|
| Erm... They pay 170 weekly. | 음... 매 주 170파운드를 내요. |
| What's your plan, Cate? | 케이트, 이제 뭐할 거야? |
| Yes, Bear eats one and a half cats everyday for breakfast. | 맞아. 베어는 아침마다 1.5마리의 고양이를 먹어치운다구. |
| Sure! Why is it so important to you? | 그러죠! 그게 왜 당신한테 그렇게 중요한데요? |
| Yes it is, how are you? | 맞아. 요즘 좀 어때? |
| Good point, I'm sure they don't pay that much! | 맞아, 그 사람들은 그만큼 돈 안 낼 걸! |
| Yeah, that's a good idea. | 오, 좋은 생각인데. |
| No, we drain pasta with a grater. | 아니, 우리는 파스타 물 뺄 때 강판을 쓰걸랑. |
| Yes, it is, but yours isn't so obvious. | 그건 맞지만, 네 억양은 그렇게 세진 않아. |
| With gas stoves, someone can leave the gas on, it's too dangerous! | 가스레인지를 쓰는데 누가 가스를 안 잠그면, 너무 위험하잖아! |
| Upstairs, there is Diego and a British couple next to him. | 윗층에는 디에고랑 그 옆에 영국인 커플이 살아. |
| We are back, where is Bear? | 왔어, 베어는 어딨어? |
| I hope he gets well soon. | 빨리 나아지시길 빌게. |
| Ta-ta here it is... | 짜잔, 여기 있지... |
| Hang on a minute, they are both 300 gr and the same brand. | 잠시만, 둘다 300그램에 같은 브랜드인데. |
| Oh my god! It’s almost 12 o’clock. | 아 세상에! 벌써 12시가 다 돼가네. |
| Is your father sick? | 아버지가 아프셔? |
| That's why the rent is much lower than average. | 그러니까 평균보다 값이 훨씬 싼 거예요. |
| Thanks for warning me now, that's very helpful! | 이제야 말해 줘서 고마워, 정말 도움이 되네! |
| Are they older or younger? | 언니, 아니면 동생? |