







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 | |
|---|---|
| My lovely wife always tells me how good your spring rolls are. | 제 사랑스러운 아내가 언제나 이 집 춘권을 칭찬한답니다. |
| What kind of music do you like the most? | 너는 어떤 음악 제일 좋아해? |
| Wow, that's unbelievable, is it yours? | 세상에, 안 믿기는 걸. 네 거야? |
| Yeah, I wonder if we share the same taste in movies! | 그러게, 우리 영화 취향도 비슷하려나! |
| Okay, who sings it? | 좋아, 누가 부르는데? |
| You need to change planes at some point on the way. | 그래서 도중에 경유를 해야 돼. |
| The rice section is over there. | 쌀 코너는 저쪽에 있어. |
| What else could I do? Do you expect me not to sleep till I die? | 달리 뭘 해야 했는데? 나는 죽을 때 까지 잠도 못 자고 버텨야 했다는 거야? |
| As I said, it's much easier to open with two people. | 말했죠, 두 사람이 하면 훨씬 열기 쉽다고. |
| Come on, don't cry, she is just a stupid girl! | 그러지 말고, 울지 마, 그냥 저 여자가 이상한 거야! |
| Umm, you can tell them it's our wedding anniversary. | 음, 우리 결혼기념일이라고 얘기해볼 수 있잖아. |
| I don't like going to hospitals, either. | 나도 병원가는 거 싫어하니까. |
| Um, on this floor, it's only me and a French girl next door. | 음, 이 층에는 나하고 옆집에 프랑스 여자애가 살아. |
| Yes, it seems more logical in this case. | 그렇네, 그게 더 합리적인 판단 같아. |
| I think I'm going to order some duck, it's delicious. | 나는 오리 요리를 시킬까 해, 맛있거든. |
| Okay, we have all the things we need, then. | 좋아, 그럼 필요한 건 다 있어. |
| I haven't seen her, either, and I don't really want to... | 나도 본 적 없고, 보고 싶지도 않아... |
| Oh look at this big boy, he gets bigger everytime I see him! | 이야, 이 덩치있는 녀석, 볼 때마다 쑥쑥 커져 있네! |
| I searched: does Pinocchio know he is not a real boy. | 피노키오는 자기가 진짜 아이가 아니라는 걸 아나요, 라고 검색했어. |
| I guess time doesn't pass for you while I'm away. | 내가 곁에 없으면 자기 시간은 안 흘러가나 보다. |