







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 | |
|---|---|
| Why do you think it's weird? | 그게 뭐가 이상하다는 거야? |
| There is one at 11:00 and the next one is at 11:20. | 11시에 하나 있고, 그 다음 건 12시 차야. |
| Of course, there are 4 girls, all uni students from Germany. | 물론이죠, 여자 분이 4분 계시는데, 모두 독일에서 온 대학생이고요. |
| Sorry, look, here is the station. | 미안한데, 봐봐, 역 도착했다. |
| Okay, I don't like cooking, but I like tasting food. | 좋아, 난 요리는 안 좋아하지만, 음식 맛 보는 건 좋아하니까. |
| Do you want me to call them? | 전화는 내가 할까? |
| I don't like going to hospitals, either. | 나도 병원가는 거 싫어하니까. |
| But I don't think I can use them all, there are too many! | 하지만 다 쓰기에는 너무 많은 것 같아! |
| Excuse me ma'am, here is an undamaged packet of rice for you. | 실례하겠습니다, 여기 손상되지 않은 봉투의 쌀을 드릴게요. |
| 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! |
| It's too fruity. | 너무 과일향 나. |
| Yes, I have got two sisters. | 우리집은 딸만 셋이야. |
| How much are they supposed to pay? | 얼마 주기로 돼있었는데? |
| Erm, she's the marketing manager at the company. | 으음, 회사 마케팅 매니저야. |
| I think I did, too, but I've got a really bad headache! | 나도 그런 것 같은데, 지금 머리가 엄청 아프다! |
| Yes, my number is 0773***0282. | 응, 내 번호는 0773***0282야. |
| Do we have a mortar and pestle? | 사발하고 막자 있어? |
| No worries, I am not together with Mike. | 그리고 걱정 말아요, 마이크랑 사귀는 사이 아니니까. |
| Hello madam, are you still on the line? | 안녕하세요 부인, 아직 계신가요? |
| No, I have really bad allergies. | 아뇨, 알레르기가 정말 심해서 그래요. |