







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 | |
|---|---|
| Do you know the pub around the corner? | 모퉁이 돌면 나오는 술집 알아요? |
| Sorry, I hope it doesn't ruin your childhood memories... | 미안, 어린 시절의 기억이 더럽혀지지 않았길 바라... |
| Hello mate, where are you? | 안녕 친구, 어디야? |
| Good thanks, I'm fine, too. | 다행이네. 나도 잘 지내. |
| Do you know her well? | 잘 아는 사이야? |
| Hello, do you have a Tesco Clubcard sir? | 안녕하세요, 테스코 회원카드 있으신가요? |
| Erm... While your hands are already dirty... | 음... 이미 손을 버린 김에... |
| There is one at 11:00 and the next one is at 11:20. | 11시에 하나 있고, 그 다음 건 12시 차야. |
| Are you close friends? | 둘이 친해요? |
| Why don't you answer your phone? | 전화는 왜 안 받았어? |
| There are some vending machines in the station. | 역에 자판기가 좀 있을 텐데. |
| Why? What's wrong? | 왜? 뭐 잘못 됐어? |
| It's a double room plus we get a cleaner once a week. | 더블룸이고 일주일에 한번씩 청소부가 와. |
| Good point, I'm sure they don't pay that much! | 맞아, 그 사람들은 그만큼 돈 안 낼 걸! |
| Come on, don't cry, she is just a stupid girl! | 그러지 말고, 울지 마, 그냥 저 여자가 이상한 거야! |
| Are they older or younger? | 언니, 아니면 동생? |
| Sorry, the line is very bad! | 미안, 통화연결이 안 좋아! |
| No worries, everybody uses my stuff all the time. | 괜찮아, 다들 맨날 내 거 쓰는데 뭐. |
| I mean, you don't live here with anyone from your family. | 그러니까, 가족 중에 아무도 여기서 같이 안 사는 거구나. |
| No worries, I am not together with Mike. | 그리고 걱정 말아요, 마이크랑 사귀는 사이 아니니까. |