







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 | |
|---|---|
| Come on in, here on the ground floor, we have two bedrooms... | 들어와요, 여기 1층에는 침실이 두 개 있고... |
| Why do you want to live there? | 너는 왜 거기 살고 싶어? |
| Is that right? | 맞지? |
| Umm, oh yes, I can see it now, the ad number is 9845... | 음, 아 맞아요, 이제 보이네요. 광고 번호는 9845예요... |
| But everybody calls him Rocco. | 다들 로코라고 불러요. |
| I'm just teasing you, dear, 200 degrees is okay! | 좀 놀려봤어요, 자기. 200도면 돼! |
| I go out sometimes with the girls from school. | 학교에 친구들하고 종종 나오거든. |
| But on the ad it says the house is fully furnished! | 하지만 광고에는 완전히 가구가 갖춰져 있다고 돼있던데요! |
| For the risotto, I need some arborio rice. | 리조또를 하려면 아보리오 쌀이 필요한데. |
| Anyway, do you live around here, too? | 아무튼, 요 근처 사나봐? |
| Hmm... actually, we have to boil it. | 음... 실은, 삶아야 돼. |
| I guess you need to change your cooking plan now! | 네 요리 계획이 바뀌어버린 것 같네! |
| I am half-British and half-Australian. | 영국하고 호주가 반반 섞인 거지. |
| Thanks, but I don't have time to stay. | 고맙지만, 곧 가야해서요. |
| It sounds like a good deal. | 좋은 생각 같은걸. |
| I don't like smoking in the kitchen. | 난 부엌에서 담배 피는 거 싫어. |
| Are you close friends? | 둘이 친해요? |
| Yeah, our room has only got one window! | 그러니까, 우리 방에는 창문 하나밖에 없다고! |
| Eating leftovers during the week saves me some time. | 주중에는 남은 요리만 먹어도 시간을 좀 벌 수 있어. |
| Do they weigh them here or at the checkout? | 여기서 저울 달면 돼, 아니면 계산대로 가야 해? |