







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 would like to... But I have other things to do... | 그럼 좋기야 하겠지만... 다른 할 일이 있는데... |
| 360 degrees should be good. | 360도면 될 거야. |
| You need to press the button down and turn it right. | 버튼을 아래로 누르고 오른쪽으로 돌려야해. |
| I think one room is empty upstairs at the moment. | 윗층에 한 층은 비어있는 것 같아. |
| Is it because of the cost, or another reason? | 경비 때문에 그래, 아님 다른 이유가 있어? |
| I think I did, too, but I've got a really bad headache! | 나도 그런 것 같은데, 지금 머리가 엄청 아프다! |
| Erm, sorry, but I think you have the wrong Mike... | 어어, 죄송하지만 사람을 잘못 아신 것 같은데요... |
| It's very difficult to talk to you on the phone right now. | 너하고 지금 통화하는 거 되게 어려운 상황이야. |
| Yes sir, you can have a seat at this table. | 네, 이쪽 테이블로 안내해드릴게요. |
| What's the time, are we early? | 지금 몇 시지, 우리가 일찍 왔나? |
| Very nice! I hope he doesn't do it all the time! | 멋있기도 해라! 항상 그러는 건 아니면 좋겠는데! |
| Hey, before you go... | 잠깐, 가기 전에... |
| It's half past 4, so we are here right on time. | 4시 반이니까 딱 맞게 온 건데. |
| Do you feel a bit better now? | 기분은 좀 나아졌어? |
| Nope, as I said before, they live in Australia. | 응, 얘기했다시피, 호주에 살아. |
| Pogo is my little cat, is there a problem with that? | 포고는 제 반려묘예요, 뭔가 문제라도 있나요? |
| Thank you, I'm 26. | 고마워요, 나는 26살이니까. |
| Anyway, this is Cate and her friends from work. | 아무튼, 이쪽은 케이트랑 직장 동료분들. |
| Well, I don't think we need to cook too many things at once. | 음, 한번에 너무 많이 요리할 필요는 없을 것 같아. |
| I'm so sorry about the inconvenience. | 불편을 끼쳐드려서 정말 미안합니다. |