







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 | |
|---|---|
| Okay, it seems they have no aggression towards each other. | 응, 서로한테 공격적으로 굴지는 않는 것 같아. |
| Yeah, but the room is square and there are only four main objects in it. | 그래, 근데 방은 네모 모양이고 주요 가구라고는 4개밖에 없잖아. |
| Erm... I know I snore occasionally, do I snore everyday? | 으음... 간간이 코 곤다는 건 알고 있었지만, 내가 매일 코를 골아? |
| Oh Jesus Christ... I get it now! That's disgusting... | 아 하나님 맙소사... 이제 알겠다! 더러워 진짜... |
| I hope she is not a problematic one, then... | 골치덩어리 친구는 아니면 좋겠는데... |
| Oh, sorry, I also need a grater for the cheese. | 아차, 치즈에 쓸 강판도 필요하다. |
| 360 degrees should be good. | 360도면 될 거야. |
| It only takes 15 or 20 minutes. | 한 15에서 20분 정도 밖에 안 걸릴 거야. |
| He only does it when he is extremely stressed! | 극도로 스트레스 받을 때만 그러는 거야! |
| It's like there's evil hidden inside them! | 속에 무슨 마귀라도 숨겨놓은 거 같다구! |
| But I don't know him well. | 잘 아는 사이는 아니네. |
| I didn't know that, I hope it's not serious. | 몰랐어. 심각한 게 아니면 좋을 텐데. |
| I'm okay, how are you? | 나야 잘 지내지. 너는 어때? |
| Um, I don't feel like eating anything but fish today. | 음, 오늘은 생선 말고는 별로 당기지가 않아. |
| It sounds important. | 중요한가 보네. |
| I think the price is very cheap. | 되게 싼 것 같아. |
| What do you do? | 일은 뭐하는데요? |
| So do you want me to find a house by myself? | 그럼 나더러 혼자 집을 찾으라는 거야? |
| No, I'm not lying! I never lie. | 거짓말 아냐! 난 거짓말 안해. |
| Here you can take it, be careful, it's very hot. | 여기 가져가. 조심하고, 뜨거우니까. |