







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 | |
|---|---|
| It's very difficult to talk to you on the phone right now. | 너하고 지금 통화하는 거 되게 어려운 상황이야. |
| I have one sister and she is nineteen. | 여동생이 있는데 19살이야. |
| I'm a web designer. | 나는 웹 디자이너야. |
| Did I? I don't know... What is it? | 그래? 몰라... 뭘 깜빡했지? |
| Hmm, I like pop, rock, funk. | 음, 난 팝이나 락, 펑크가 좋아. |
| Hello, is that Cate? | 여보세요, 케이트야? |
| I'm sorry for not showing up at your opening. | 오픈 때 못 찾아와서 미안해. |
| They weigh everything at the checkout. | 뭐든지 계산대에서 달면 돼. |
| As I said, it's much easier to open with two people. | 말했죠, 두 사람이 하면 훨씬 열기 쉽다고. |
| I hate taking long flights! | 나 비행기 오래 타는 게 질색이거든! |
| Hi, is your cat okay? | 안녕, 그쪽 고양이는 괜찮아요? |
| Yes, that's okay, we are just about to leave. | 응, 괜찮아, 이제 막 뜨려던 참이었어. |
| Pogo still hates coming to the vet, though! | 포고야 여전히 동물병원 가는 걸 질색하지만! |
| Yeah, I'll have a beer, I guess you want wine, Cate? | 네, 저는 맥주로 하죠. 케이트 너는 와인으로 하려나? |
| Your perfectly shaped mushrooms are ready! | 귀하의 완벽한 모양의 버섯이 준비되었습니다! |
| Hello madam, are you still on the line? | 안녕하세요 부인, 아직 계신가요? |
| Nope, I don't cook fancy things, only regular dishes. | 아니, 막 대단한 건 안하고, 그냥 평범한 요리만 해. |
| Yeah, I think killing mosquitoes is fair. | 맞아, 모기 잡는 건 합당하다고 봐. |
| No worries, everybody uses my stuff all the time. | 괜찮아, 다들 맨날 내 거 쓰는데 뭐. |
| He wouldn't run away, he just wants to check what's outside. | 도망치려는 건 아냐. 밖에 뭐가 있는지 보고싶어서 이러는 거야. |