







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 | |
|---|---|
| He wants to, but tonight it's impossible. | 그러려고 했는데, 오늘밤은 안되겠어요. |
| I don't have time to cook everyday. | 매일 요리할 시간이 없어. |
| It looks like you've got some experience with coffee. | 커피를 꽤 잘 아는 것 같아 보이는걸. |
| Hello, what kind of dog do you have, Mike? | 안녕, 어느 개 길러요, 마이크? |
| Is that you, Mike? | 마이크야? |
| Isn't it faster taking the tube? | 지하철이 더 빠르지 않아? |
| I didn't know that, I hope it's not serious. | 몰랐어. 심각한 게 아니면 좋을 텐데. |
| I'm sorry guys, there is no negotiation on the rent! | 미안한데 여러분, 집세로 협상할 마음은 없어요! |
| How much do you pay for your room? | 네 방은 얼마 내는데? |
| What's up? Is everything okay? | 무슨 일이죠? 문제라도 있어요? |
| Very nice! I hope he doesn't do it all the time! | 멋있기도 해라! 항상 그러는 건 아니면 좋겠는데! |
| I don't think it's a suitable movie for kids, dear. | 애들 보는 영화는 아닌 것 같아, 자기. |
| Nothing, 'cause I don't know what the woman looks like. | 나야 아무 것도 안하지, 그 할머니가 어떻게 생겼는지 모르니까. |
| It's Marvin Gaye, from the 60's, but this is the remix. | 마빈 게이야, 60년대 노래. 근데 이건 리믹스고. |
| I'm an English teacher. | 영어 선생님이에요. |
| No worries, I am not together with Mike. | 그리고 걱정 말아요, 마이크랑 사귀는 사이 아니니까. |
| That's nice, what do you usually cook? | 멋지다. 보통 어떤 걸 요리해? |
| Erm.. Isn't it there? | 어... 거기에 있지 않아? |
| But I don't think I can use them all, there are too many! | 하지만 다 쓰기에는 너무 많은 것 같아! |
| I agree, long flights aren't very pleasant. | 그건 맞아, 비행기 오래 타는 건 별로 즐거운 경험이 아니지. |