







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 | |
|---|---|
| Umm, you can tell them it's our wedding anniversary. | 음, 우리 결혼기념일이라고 얘기해볼 수 있잖아. |
| The recipe is for 6 people. | 레시피는 6인분이야. |
| No, it's the owner, she is an old lady and very strict about that. | 그게 아니라, 집주인이, 나이 드신 할머니신데 동물에 관해 꽤나 깐깐하세요. |
| Hang on a minute, they are both 300 gr and the same brand. | 잠시만, 둘다 300그램에 같은 브랜드인데. |
| Yes I did, why, isn't it normal? | 응, 그랬는데. 왜, 그럼 안돼? |
| Can I get you some more drinks? | 잔부터 먼저 채워드릴까요? |
| Until you just light your cigarette. | 담배에 불 붙일 때 까지는. |
| Maybe they prefer electric stoves in shared houses for safety reasons. | 어쩌면 안전 문제 때문에 셰어하우스에서는 전기 스토브를 선호할지도 모르겠어. |
| But he hisses occasionally, is it normal? | 하지만 가끔 하악질을 하는데, 정상이야? |
| Well this is how it is... do you want to see upstairs? | 글쎄, 그렇게 돼있는 걸 어쩌겠어요. 위층도 보겠어요? |
| Bear is okay with cats, but definitely not with dogs. | 베어는 고양이하고는 잘 지내는데 개하고는 전혀 아냐. |
| Is it because the other tenants don't want pets? | 다른 세입자들이 반려동물이 들어오는 걸 꺼려해서 그런가요? |
| It's like, the bus you are waiting for never comes. | 요컨대, 기다리던 버스는 절대 안 오지. |
| Does anyone else need anything? | 다른 거 또 필요한 사람? |
| I've found 2, too, there aren't many options in Camden Lock. | 나도 2개 찾았어. 캠든 록에는 별로 선택지가 없네. |
| Erm.. Isn't it there? | 어... 거기에 있지 않아? |
| Hi, I don't think it's broken. | 안녕하세요, 부러진 것 같진 않은데. |
| The cat is not actually mine, it's my girlfriend's cat. | 그 고양이는 내게 아니에요, 내 여자친구 고양이죠. |
| What's your favourite movie? | 네가 제일 좋아하는 영화는 뭐야? |
| It's not a big deal but it's quite an important thing to mention. | 나한테 중요한 일은 아니어도 말해줄 만큼은 중요한 일인 거잖아. |