







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 | |
|---|---|
| How long does it usually take? | 보통 얼마쯤 걸리는데? |
| Until you just light your cigarette. | 담배에 불 붙일 때 까지는. |
| I have no idea what arborio rice is! | 아보리오 쌀이 뭔지 전혀 모르겠는데! |
| Why do you think it's weird? | 그게 뭐가 이상하다는 거야? |
| It won't change anything, but reminding me is stressing me out! | 달라지는 건 없어도 자꾸 말하면 스트레스 받는다고! |
| I'm an English teacher. | 영어 선생님이에요. |
| Yes, I'm here waiting for good news. | 네, 좋은 소식 기다리고 있어요. |
| I need some parsley, but it looks a bit limp. | 파슬리가 좀 필요한데 약간 싱싱하지 않아보여. |
| There is nothing much left to do, there are only bits and pieces. | 크게 할 건 없어, 그냥 자잘한 거 몇 개 하면 돼. |
| This is the last one and, unfortunately, it has a hole in it. | 이게 마지막 건데, 애석하게도 구멍이 나 있군. |
| Unfortunately, I don't have one! Where is yours? | 안타깝게도, 그런 거 없어! 네 건 어딨는데? |
| I'm a web designer. | 나는 웹 디자이너야. |
| For the risotto, I need some arborio rice. | 리조또를 하려면 아보리오 쌀이 필요한데. |
| Yes, it seems more logical in this case. | 그렇네, 그게 더 합리적인 판단 같아. |
| I have no idea... But I hope they have a good excuse! | 전혀 모르겠지만... 말이 되는 핑계거리가 있는 사람이길 바라! |
| Is that what you want to do? | 그러고 싶다는 얘기야? |
| Yeah, I think killing mosquitoes is fair. | 맞아, 모기 잡는 건 합당하다고 봐. |
| Hello Mike, not much, how are you? | 안녕 마이크, 별 건 아니고, 어떻게 지내? |
| Yeah, the packet is ripped, but it's not overdue. | 네, 포장은 찢어졌지만 유통기한은 지나지 않았네요. |
| Yeah, I'll have a beer, I guess you want wine, Cate? | 네, 저는 맥주로 하죠. 케이트 너는 와인으로 하려나? |