







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 | |
|---|---|
| Are you serious? | 진심? |
| I don't like going to hospitals, either. | 나도 병원가는 거 싫어하니까. |
| Of course, my name is Cate and my number is 077... | 물론이죠, 제 이름은 케이트고 번호는 077... |
| The rice section is over there. | 쌀 코너는 저쪽에 있어. |
| Sorry to ask, but are you on your period or something? | 물어봐서 미안하지만, 현재 생리 중이거나 한 거야? |
| Yes, it might be, but I'm very busy with some projects these days. | 그래, 그럴 수도 있지만, 나 요즘 프로젝트들로 정말 바빠서. |
| It's a kind of welcoming party for her. | 환영식 비슷하게 하는 거야. |
| It won't change anything, but reminding me is stressing me out! | 달라지는 건 없어도 자꾸 말하면 스트레스 받는다고! |
| I haven't seen her, either, and I don't really want to... | 나도 본 적 없고, 보고 싶지도 않아... |
| Do you know the pub around the corner? | 모퉁이 돌면 나오는 술집 알아요? |
| No worries, I have got a peeler for you! | 걱정마, 여기 감자깎이가 있어! |
| I'm happy to hear we have similar music taste! | 우리 음악 취향이 비슷하다니 기쁜걸! |
| I'm so sorry, but we need to cancel our meeting today. | 정말 미안한데, 오늘 회의 취소해야 할 것 같아. |
| Is it really on the menu? | 그게 메뉴에 있어? |
| Um, I don't feel like eating anything but fish today. | 음, 오늘은 생선 말고는 별로 당기지가 않아. |
| Is it the one with the blue tongue? | 혀가 파란 개 아녜요? |
| Erm, by the way, since we are on the subject... | 어, 근데 말이지, 말 나온 김에 말인데... |
| And sometimes they don't come home for days. | 어떨 때는 집에 며칠 씩 안 들어오거든. |
| Oh, okay, is there a problem with your house? | 아, 그래요. 집에 뭔가 문제라도 있나요? |
| Hmm.. yes, we get on really well. | 흠... 네, 둘이 잘 맞아요. |