







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 | |
|---|---|
| And the buses always arrive on time. | 버스는 언제나 제 시간에 도착하고. |
| Hmm... actually, we have to boil it. | 음... 실은, 삶아야 돼. |
| Why do you want to live there? | 너는 왜 거기 살고 싶어? |
| Hmm.. I think it's overdue. | 어라... 지난 것 같은데. |
| I am 24. | 나는 24살요. |
| The packets have 2 pieces in them. | 이 패키지에는 두 조각이 들었어. |
| Hm, okay... I think I got it, is it like Pinocchio? | 흐음, 좋아... 알 것 같아. 피노키오 같은 거네? |
| Is that you, Mike? | 마이크야? |
| Do you like train rides, too? | 기차 타는 것도 좋아해? |
| I think I did, too, but I've got a really bad headache! | 나도 그런 것 같은데, 지금 머리가 엄청 아프다! |
| It says best before 25th of February. | 2월 25일 전에 먹으라는데. |
| I'm sorry to say that no pets are allowed in the house! | 미안하지만 이 건물에는 애완동물은 들일 수 없어요! |
| We are back, where is Bear? | 왔어, 베어는 어딨어? |
| That's not nice, Mike! | 마이크, 그러면 안되지! |
| I guess I can meet you there at 20:30, or is it too late? | 레스토랑 앞에서 8시 반쯤에 만날 수 있을 거 같은데, 너무 늦어? |
| It has 1 year to pass its expiry date. | 유통기한이 지나려면 아직 1년이 남았어요. |
| Here we go, I'm sure it means they pay much less. | 들통나셨네, 그러니까 훨씬 적게 낸다는 말 아녜요. |
| I don't want you to spend a fortune. | 네가 돈을 잔뜩 쓰는 건 원하지 않아. |
| Exactly, I hate getting woken up in the middle of the night! | 내 말이, 자던 중에 누가 깨우는 건 정말 싫다고! |
| How old are you? | 몇 살이에요? |