







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 | |
|---|---|
| Let me check, we only need butter. | 보자, 버터만 더 있으면 돼. |
| That's nice, I like the music and the lyrics. | 노래 좋다, 음악이랑 가사가 마음에 들어. |
| That's nice... I hope she is not a teenager! How old is she? | 멋있네... 아직 십대인 건 아니겠지! 몇 살인데? |
| As they say, time is the best medicine. | 옛말에 시간이 약이라고 하잖아. |
| Hey, Cate! Do you need anything? | 이야, 케이트! 뭐 필요한 거 있어? |
| Also, one of my friends works there. | 그리고, 내 친구 중에 거기 일하는 애가 있어요. |
| That's nice, I guess I like the house very much! | 좋은 걸요, 전 이 집이 되게 마음에 들어요! |
| I want to be sober and energetic for tomorrow. | 내일을 위해 오늘은 멀쩡한 정신으로 에너지를 아껴두고 싶어서. |
| That would be great! Do you think it's possible? | 그럼 최고지! 근데 가능할까? |
| When I have free time. | 시간이 있으면 가죠. |
| What kind of trick is that? | 잔꾀라니 무슨 소리야? |
| Can I get you some more drinks? | 잔부터 먼저 채워드릴까요? |
| I have an appointment with the home office for my visa extension. | 비자 연장하러 내무부에 가기로 약속 잡아놨어. |
| I mean, you look too young to be a teacher. | 그러니까, 선생님 하기에는 너무 젊어보여서. |
| Hmm, I like pop, rock, funk. | 음, 난 팝이나 락, 펑크가 좋아. |
| How do you get to Brighton? | 브라이튼까지는 어떻게 갈 거야? |
| And these days, I go to that pub quite often. | 요즘 그 술집에 자주 가요. |
| I am alone till my friend comes. | 나는 친구 올 때까지 혼자인데. |
| I am, I have to be there at 12:30. | 해야 돼. 12시 반까지 가야 해. |
| Congratulations, I wish you luck. | 축하해, 잘 되기를 빌어. |