







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 | |
|---|---|
| Hello, is that Cate? | 여보세요, 케이트야? |
| There is nothing much left to do, there are only bits and pieces. | 크게 할 건 없어, 그냥 자잘한 거 몇 개 하면 돼. |
| Are you sure she is from Australia? | 진짜 호주출신이 맞아? |
| Except mosquitoes because they ruin my sleep. | 모기는 빼고. 잠자는 시간을 망쳐놓으니까. |
| Okay, how much salt do you want me to add? | 좋아, 소금은 얼마나 칠까? |
| No, I'm a real estate agent. | 아뇨, 저는 부동산 업자입니다. |
| Are you close friends? | 둘이 친해요? |
| I like some Jamiroquai songs, but not all of them. | 자미로콰이 노래는 몇 개는 좋아하는데, 다는 아니고. |
| I don't want to talk about this issue in this house. | 이 얘기는 이 집에서는 하고 싶지 않아. |
| I don't want to live in the suburbs! | 난 교외에서 살기 싫어! |
| I only have 3 hours today. | 오늘은 3시간만 하면 돼. |
| Yes I did, why, isn't it normal? | 응, 그랬는데. 왜, 그럼 안돼? |
| Hey, Cate! Do you need anything? | 이야, 케이트! 뭐 필요한 거 있어? |
| Look, you can watch the sunset best from this point. | 봐, 여기서 석양이 제일 잘 보여. |
| Then, I don't think we need to see the next one! | 그럼, 다음 집은 안 봐도 될 거 같아! |
| Sometimes he doesn't even recognize my mum. | 어떨 때는 우리 엄마조차 못 알아봐. |
| Sorry, they don't serve chips here... | 미안하지만, 여기선 감자튀김 안 팔아... |
| As I'm a smoker, I prefer sitting outside. | 나는 흡연자라서 바깥을 선호하긴 해. |
| Yeah, I want to see the bathroom... | 네, 화장실도 좀 봤으면 하는데요... |
| Are there any fries or any kind of snacks? | 튀김이나 다른 안주 뭐 있어? |