







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 | |
|---|---|
| How is your mum, does she have any health problems? | 어머니는 어떠셔, 어디 아픈 곳이 있으셔? |
| Erm, by the way, since we are on the subject... | 어, 근데 말이지, 말 나온 김에 말인데... |
| So, it's obvious you have no clue how much renting a house costs. | 그러니까, 집 구하려면 얼마나 돈을 내야 하는지 네가 전혀 감이 없다는 게 드러났네. |
| Of course, she is an angel, do you want to talk to your mum? | 그럼, 그럼, 천사같고 말고, 엄마랑 얘기하고 싶은 게냐? |
| Is she here with you? | 너랑 같이 살아? |
| He wants to, but tonight it's impossible. | 그러려고 했는데, 오늘밤은 안되겠어요. |
| Do we have any paper towels? | 우리 종이타월 있어? |
| Yes, I still don't do it. | 그래, 그건 지금도 마찬가지야. |
| I didn't say it's your fault, but it's your turn now... | 네 잘못이라고는 안 했지, 하지만 차례를 돌릴 때는 되었어... |
| You are lucky! | 다행이네! |
| Very nice! I hope he doesn't do it all the time! | 멋있기도 해라! 항상 그러는 건 아니면 좋겠는데! |
| Mike, teriyaki is Japanese, we are at a Chinese restaurant. | 마이크, 데리야끼는 일본식이고, 우리는 중국식 레스토랑에 와 있다구. |
| So does that mean you don't want to stay with me? | 그럼 네가 나랑 더 이상 같이 있기 싫다는 뜻이 되는 거야? |
| Is it Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus? | 라이체스터 스퀘어야, 피카딜리 서커스야? |
| Because I'm sure they don't serve bugs in London! | 런던에서 벌레를 팔 리가 없잖아! |
| Yeah, I think the logo looks much better in the centre, what do you think? | 응, 이 로고 중앙에 두는 게 훨씬 나은 거 같아. 어떻게 생각해? |
| Yes, that's okay, we are just about to leave. | 응, 괜찮아, 이제 막 뜨려던 참이었어. |
| Do you know her well? | 잘 아는 사이야? |
| But we have to be quick, I don't have much time. | 하지만 서둘러야 돼, 별로 시간이 없어서. |
| We're out tonight for Laura. | 오늘은 로라를 위해 나온 거야. |