







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 feel a bit tired and very hungry. | 약간 피곤하고 되게 배고파서. |
| Anyway, what else do we have left to do now? | 아무튼, 그럼 해야 할 거 남은 게 또 뭐 있지? |
| Oh look at this big boy, he gets bigger everytime I see him! | 이야, 이 덩치있는 녀석, 볼 때마다 쑥쑥 커져 있네! |
| And we have to weigh everything by ourselves, etcetera. | 그리고 무게도 직접 다 재야 되고, 뭐 그렇잖아. |
| That's not nice, Mike! | 마이크, 그러면 안되지! |
| How much rice do you need? | 쌀이 얼마나 필요해? |
| 360 degrees should be good. | 360도면 될 거야. |
| Hey, which is the closest station to China Town? | 있지, 차이나타운에 제일 가까운 역이 어디야? |
| You're right, but he is not only here to fix things... | 네 말은 맞는데, 고쳐주려고 온 것뿐만 아니라... |
| Is there a knife? | 나이프는 있어? |
| Do you feel a bit better now? | 기분은 좀 나아졌어? |
| Sure! Why is it so important to you? | 그러죠! 그게 왜 당신한테 그렇게 중요한데요? |
| Erm, we don't have any, but there is someone else's bread. | 음, 내 건 없는데, 남의 빵은 있지. |
| Really? Sade is one of my favourites, too. | 정말? 나도 샤데이 엄청 좋아해. |
| I guess time doesn't pass for you while I'm away. | 내가 곁에 없으면 자기 시간은 안 흘러가나 보다. |
| Is there a problem with your phone battery? | 배터리에 뭔가 문제 있는 거 아냐? |
| Hello guys, you must be Cate, I'm Joseph. | 안녕하세요, 그쪽이 케이트군요. 난 조셉이에요. |
| Thank you, dear... For helping me to be a liar! | 고마워, 자기... 거짓말쟁이가 되도록 도와줘서! |
| I think so, at least there is no aggression. | 그런 것 같은데, 최소한 공격 태세는 아니잖아. |
| He is 70 and my mum is 64. | 아빠는 70이고, 엄마는 64이야. |