







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 | |
|---|---|
| But it has expired and it has a hole in it. | 근데 유통기한이 지났고 구멍이 나 있어요. |
| It sounds like a good deal. | 좋은 생각 같은걸. |
| He's a... Sorry Mike, what do you do? | 뭘 하냐면... 미안한데 마이크, 너 직업이 뭐지? |
| No worries, everybody uses my stuff all the time. | 괜찮아, 다들 맨날 내 거 쓰는데 뭐. |
| Isn't it faster taking the tube? | 지하철이 더 빠르지 않아? |
| All of my work is in that laptop and I don't have any backup! | 내가 작업한 거 다 거기 있고, 난 백업파일 없단 말야! |
| I'm really sorry, what kind of sickness is it? | 정말 유감이야. 무슨 병인지 물어봐도 될까? |
| Oh really? That's not good. | 아 정말? 그건 별론데. |
| Yeah, I think it's a bit early to knock on someone's door! | 네, 남의 집 문을 두들기기에는 좀 이른 시간 같은데요! |
| I'm just teasing you, dear, 200 degrees is okay! | 좀 놀려봤어요, 자기. 200도면 돼! |
| But he hisses occasionally, is it normal? | 하지만 가끔 하악질을 하는데, 정상이야? |
| Yes it is, how are you? | 맞아. 요즘 좀 어때? |
| Well, I don't think we need to cook too many things at once. | 음, 한번에 너무 많이 요리할 필요는 없을 것 같아. |
| I see, I love cooking! | 그렇구나. 난 요리 정말 좋아하는데! |
| Is that a crack in the bath? | 저건 욕조에 금이 간 건가요? |
| Yep, she was born in Australia, but her mother is Japanese. | 그럼, 호주에서 태어났지만 어머니가 일본인이셔. |
| Okay, we have all the things we need, then. | 좋아, 그럼 필요한 건 다 있어. |
| I like the seafood restaurants there. | 거기 해물 레스토랑 좋더라. |
| Excuse me ma'am, here is an undamaged packet of rice for you. | 실례하겠습니다, 여기 손상되지 않은 봉투의 쌀을 드릴게요. |
| I think the price is very cheap. | 되게 싼 것 같아. |