







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 | |
|---|---|
| Oh, come on dear, I was just joking, you know that... | 아, 그러지 마, 그냥 농담한 거라구, 알면서... |
| Erm... While your hands are already dirty... | 음... 이미 손을 버린 김에... |
| I don't think it's hay fever! I believe it's from the cat... | 꽃가루 알레르기는 아닌 것 같아요! 고양이 때문이라고 보는데... |
| Yeah, it's open here already... | 그럼, 벌써 여기 열어뒀는걸... |
| Hey, there is a stranger in the toilet, who is he? | 어라, 화장실에 모르는 사람이 있는데, 누구지? |
| Plus the bathroom and the kitchen are clean. | 그리고 화장실이랑 부엌도 깨끗하고요. |
| I don't know, maybe it helps a bit! | 글쎄, 어쩌면 조금은! |
| I'm sorry guys, there is no negotiation on the rent! | 미안한데 여러분, 집세로 협상할 마음은 없어요! |
| Let me check... Yes, there are some plates. | 보자... 응, 접시는 몇 개 있어. |
| You were explaining why you are here at 07:30 in the morning. | 아침 7시 반에 왜 왔는지 설명하던 중이었죠. |
| Then, I don't think we need to see the next one! | 그럼, 다음 집은 안 봐도 될 거 같아! |
| I think I did, too, but I've got a really bad headache! | 나도 그런 것 같은데, 지금 머리가 엄청 아프다! |
| Why do you want to live there? | 너는 왜 거기 살고 싶어? |
| Why? I never put a question mark when I search something! | 그걸 왜? 뭐 검색할 때 물음표 찍은 적 한번도 없어! |
| A one year course? What kind of course is it? | 1년짜리 수업이라고? 무슨 수업이길래 그래? |
| Yes, that's a good idea. | 응, 좋은 생각인걸. |
| She could even have been her mum... Who knows? | 그 여자 어머니일 수도 있는 거고... 혹시 모르잖아? |
| That's so sad, how old are your parents? | 아, 그건 너무 슬프다. 부모님 연세가 어떻게 되셔? |
| No, no, nothing is wrong, no need to worry, we are all fine... | 아냐, 아냐, 잘못된 건 하나도 없단다, 걱정하지 말렴, 우리는 잘 지내니까... |
| No, it's not okay, I'm screwed now! | 아니, 안 괜찮아. 나 완전히 엿됐어! |