







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. |
| What's your plan, Cate? | 케이트, 이제 뭐할 거야? |
| Sorry, I don't have much time, can I tell you the story when I'm back? | 미안해요, 내가 시간이 별로 없어서, 갔다 와서 얘기해줘도 돼요? |
| Is that right? | 맞지? |
| My housemates don't clean anything in the kitchen. | 우리 하우스메이트들은 부엌에 있는 건 아무것도 안 치운다구. |
| Sorry to ask, but are you on your period or something? | 물어봐서 미안하지만, 현재 생리 중이거나 한 거야? |
| 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! |
| Don't worry Mike, I think this one is better. | 걱정마, 마이크. 난 이쪽이 더 좋아. |
| Are you the only smoker in the house? | 이 건물에 담배 피우는 사람 너 밖에 없어? |
| Why don't you get it then? Do you want to see upstairs or not? | 그럼 그 집으로 하지 그래요? 위층은 볼 거예요 말 거예요? |
| Yeah, it's quite a big country, more like a continent. | 하긴, 꽤 큰 나라니까. 거의 대륙처럼. |
| Well, I hope he doesn't keep on pooping all around the house! | 흠, 온사방에 똥을 누고 다니지만 않으면 좋을텐데! |
| Yeah, it's open here already... | 그럼, 벌써 여기 열어뒀는걸... |
| But maybe they are splitting up, I don't know yet. | 하지만 헤어지는 걸 수는 있지. 나도 아직 모르겠어. |
| Do you like them with or without the skin on? | 닭껍질은 있는 게 좋아, 없는 게 좋아? |
| What kind of music do you like the most? | 너는 어떤 음악 제일 좋아해? |
| I want to try the sauvignon blanc. | 난 소비뇽 블랑 한 번 마셔보고 싶어. |
| I don't know really, what's yours? | 난 잘 모르겠는데, 너는? |
| Do you live in this house, too? | 조셉씨도 이 건물에 사세요? |
| Are you with your friends? | 친구들하고 왔어? |