







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 | |
|---|---|
| That's why you can't find the answer! | 그러니까 답을 못 찾는 거지! |
| Excuse me ma'am, here is an undamaged packet of rice for you. | 실례하겠습니다, 여기 손상되지 않은 봉투의 쌀을 드릴게요. |
| Yes it is, how are you? | 맞아. 요즘 좀 어때? |
| He wants to, but tonight it's impossible. | 그러려고 했는데, 오늘밤은 안되겠어요. |
| Anyway, do you live around here, too? | 아무튼, 요 근처 사나봐? |
| I mean, do you cook Asian or other kinds of cuisines? | 아, 뭐 아시아 요리나 다른 요리 하는 건 없고? |
| As a result, he starts pooping and peeing all over the house. | 결국 온 사방에 똥이랑 오줌을 갈겨버리는 거지. |
| And sometimes they don't come home for days. | 어떨 때는 집에 며칠 씩 안 들어오거든. |
| Are you close friends? | 둘이 친해요? |
| Yeah, I wonder if we share the same taste in movies! | 그러게, 우리 영화 취향도 비슷하려나! |
| I like some Jamiroquai songs, but not all of them. | 자미로콰이 노래는 몇 개는 좋아하는데, 다는 아니고. |
| How long does it usually take? | 보통 얼마쯤 걸리는데? |
| Do you know her well? | 잘 아는 사이야? |
| Isn't it too early for dinner? | 저녁 먹기에는 너무 이르지 않아? |
| Thanks for warning me now, that's very helpful! | 이제야 말해 줘서 고마워, 정말 도움이 되네! |
| People take cutlery to their rooms and don't bring it back! | 사람들이 수저를 방으로 가져가놓곤 가지고 오지를 않아! |
| Maybe I know your friend. | 내가 그쪽 친구 알지도 모르죠. |
| We're out tonight for Laura. | 오늘은 로라를 위해 나온 거야. |
| Yes, I can hear you, but I don't understand! | 그래, 말은 들리는데, 이해가 안돼! |
| That's nice... I hope she is not a teenager! How old is she? | 멋있네... 아직 십대인 건 아니겠지! 몇 살인데? |