







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 | |
|---|---|
| Can you show me which clothes I need to put away, then? | 내가 어느 옷들 치우면 될지 먼저 알려줄 수 있어? |
| Come on dear, I know you want me to! | 에이, 왜 이러셔, 내가 오길 바라면서! |
| It's not a nice thing to do. | 그건 좋은 행동이 아닌걸. |
| I'm not really in the mood to join them. | 걔네랑 같이갈 기분은 아니야. |
| Ah, I'm very sorry, but we're fully booked tonight! | 아, 무척 죄송하지만 오늘 저녁은 만석이라서요! |
| Of course, there are 4 girls, all uni students from Germany. | 물론이죠, 여자 분이 4분 계시는데, 모두 독일에서 온 대학생이고요. |
| I mean, you look too young to be a teacher. | 그러니까, 선생님 하기에는 너무 젊어보여서. |
| My housemates don't clean anything in the kitchen. | 우리 하우스메이트들은 부엌에 있는 건 아무것도 안 치운다구. |
| Is there a garlic crusher, then? | 그럼 마늘 분쇄기는 없어? |
| Is it hay fever? I've got some pills for it! | 꽃가루 알레르기예요? 그거라면 저한테 약이 좀 있는데! |
| Then people come and complain to me! | 그럼 사람들이 나한테 와서 불평한단 말야! |
| Ta-ta here it is... | 짜잔, 여기 있지... |
| It's all about my lovely little cat, Pogo. | 내 사랑스러운 고양이 포고 문제인 거지. |
| That's so sad, how old are your parents? | 아, 그건 너무 슬프다. 부모님 연세가 어떻게 되셔? |
| Erm, I can't work it out, I guess it's more than 150 years old. | 엄, 계산은 안되지만, 150년이 넘는 것 같은데. |
| I only have 3 hours today. | 오늘은 3시간만 하면 돼. |
| For the risotto, I need some arborio rice. | 리조또를 하려면 아보리오 쌀이 필요한데. |
| Sorry to ask, but are you on your period or something? | 물어봐서 미안하지만, 현재 생리 중이거나 한 거야? |
| I think the price is very cheap. | 되게 싼 것 같아. |
| Yes, I still don't do it. | 그래, 그건 지금도 마찬가지야. |