







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 | |
|---|---|
| The recipe is for 6 people. | 레시피는 6인분이야. |
| Are they older or younger? | 언니, 아니면 동생? |
| Can you stop acting like I always ask for money? | 너는 내가 맨날 돈 빌리는 사람으로 보이냐? |
| I'm really amazed by the structure of this station. | 이 역 구조가 정말 대단한걸. |
| I'm so sorry about the inconvenience. | 불편을 끼쳐드려서 정말 미안합니다. |
| I've got a meeting with some people. | 사람들하고 미팅 잡힌 게 있어서. |
| Yes, it seems more logical in this case. | 그렇네, 그게 더 합리적인 판단 같아. |
| I feel a bit tired and very hungry. | 약간 피곤하고 되게 배고파서. |
| You are very funny mate. | 아주 재치가 넘치시네요, 이 친구. |
| If you are going to ask for money, I don't have any, either. | 돈 빌리려고 그러는 거면, 나도 없어. |
| Yes, sorry, everything seems filthy, but believe me, it's not my fault! | 그래, 미안해. 모든 게 더러워 보이겠지. 하지만 믿어줘, 그게 내 잘못은 아니야! |
| What's your favourite movie? | 네가 제일 좋아하는 영화는 뭐야? |
| What's up? Is everything okay? | 무슨 일이죠? 문제라도 있어요? |
| Do you have another one? | 다른 거 있어? |
| Alright, deal! You have 3 days to think, starting now! | 그래, 좋았어! 그럼 지금부터 생각할 시간 사흘 줄게! |
| And secondly, vets are so expensive! | 그리고 둘째로, 동물병원 너무 비싸! |
| Yeah, I'll have a beer, I guess you want wine, Cate? | 네, 저는 맥주로 하죠. 케이트 너는 와인으로 하려나? |
| Thanks for offering me that, dear. | 어머, 그런 제안 해줘서 고마워. |
| But maybe they are splitting up, I don't know yet. | 하지만 헤어지는 걸 수는 있지. 나도 아직 모르겠어. |
| Good thanks, I'm fine, too. | 다행이네. 나도 잘 지내. |