







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 | |
|---|---|
| I've got a meeting with some people. | 사람들하고 미팅 잡힌 게 있어서. |
| Congratulations... But is Pogo a pet's name? | 축하드립니다... 그런데, 포고는 애완동물 이름인가요? |
| It's impossible for me to commute from zone-9 to 1 everyday. | 런던 9구역에서 1구역까지 매일 통근하는 건 나한테 불가능한 일이야. |
| Your perfectly shaped mushrooms are ready! | 귀하의 완벽한 모양의 버섯이 준비되었습니다! |
| Did you say Russia? That's unusual! | 러시아라고? 특이하네! |
| Sh*t! I can't believe it's already 10:30! | 젠장! 벌써 10시 반이라니 말도 안돼! |
| Yes, they are all around 2 pounds. | 응, 전부 2파운드 언저리야. |
| Oh god, I feel too tired now. | 아이고, 이제 너무 피곤해. |
| Sure, our kitchen is newly refurbished... | 물론이죠, 우리 주방은 새로 리모델링 되었어요... |
| I don't believe you! What's the difference today? | 무슨 소리야! 오늘이라고 뭐가 다르다고? |
| Hello, what kind of dog do you have, Mike? | 안녕, 어느 개 길러요, 마이크? |
| Can you show me which clothes I need to put away, then? | 내가 어느 옷들 치우면 될지 먼저 알려줄 수 있어? |
| Are you really asking me that question? | 지금 정말 나한테 그걸 물어보겠다는 거야? |
| Are they older or younger? | 언니, 아니면 동생? |
| How is your mum, does she have any health problems? | 어머니는 어떠셔, 어디 아픈 곳이 있으셔? |
| Do you want me to put it in the bin? | 쓰레기통에 버릴까? |
| Isn't that funny? | 그거 웃기지 않아요? |
| Isn't it too early for dinner? | 저녁 먹기에는 너무 이르지 않아? |
| Do you have a cigarette? | 담배 있냐? |
| Yeah, I guess normally you go to work around 06:30. | 맞아요, 평소에는 6시 반쯤에 출근하는 거 같길래. |