







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 | |
|---|---|
| How long does the flight usually take? | 비행기 타고 보통 얼마쯤 걸려? |
| Do you want me to make you a cup of tea or coffee? | 차나 커피 한 잔 타줄까? |
| That's nice, I like the music and the lyrics. | 노래 좋다, 음악이랑 가사가 마음에 들어. |
| Because we know them and have their mobile numbers? | 왜냐면 우리랑 아는 사이고 휴대폰 번호도 알고 있으니까요? |
| That's so sad, how old are your parents? | 아, 그건 너무 슬프다. 부모님 연세가 어떻게 되셔? |
| I guess I can meet you there at 20:30, or is it too late? | 레스토랑 앞에서 8시 반쯤에 만날 수 있을 거 같은데, 너무 늦어? |
| It's very difficult for me to go there more than once a year. | 1년에 한 번 이상 가는 건 너무 어려운 일이라서. |
| Okay, how long is it, do you know? | 좋아, 얼마나 긴지 혹시 알아? |
| Isn't Morrison's closer? | 모리슨즈가 더 가깝지 않아? |
| I don't like violence in real life, I only like it in movies. | 현실에서 폭력은 싫지, 영화에서만 좋아하는 거야. |
| I live just opposite the pub. | 나는 그 술집 바로 맞은편에 살아요. |
| Hello, I'm very sorry dear, I'm a bit late. | 안녕, 정말 미안해 자기, 내가 좀 늦었지. |
| Maybe they prefer electric stoves in shared houses for safety reasons. | 어쩌면 안전 문제 때문에 셰어하우스에서는 전기 스토브를 선호할지도 모르겠어. |
| It's not a nice thing to say to a woman... | 여자한테 그런 말은 상처가 된다구... |
| I didn't say it's your fault, but it's your turn now... | 네 잘못이라고는 안 했지, 하지만 차례를 돌릴 때는 되었어... |
| Yeah, I think this wardrobe is too small for two people. | 맞아, 이 옷장은 두 사람 쓰기에는 너무 작아. |
| Diego, do you want me to get you anything to eat? | 디에고, 뭐 먹을 거 갖다줄까? |
| I don't understand why they call it a bank holiday. | 공휴일을 왜 뱅크 홀리데이라고 부르는지 모르겠어. |
| I'm really sorry, what kind of sickness is it? | 정말 유감이야. 무슨 병인지 물어봐도 될까? |
| Is your dog a Chow Chow? | 그쪽 개는 차우차우예요? |