







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 | |
|---|---|
| Yeah, I think killing mosquitoes is fair. | 맞아, 모기 잡는 건 합당하다고 봐. |
| I don't think we need to pay for it. | 안 물어줘도 될 거 같아. |
| Oh, come on dear, I was just joking, you know that... | 아, 그러지 마, 그냥 농담한 거라구, 알면서... |
| I mostly cook meat, fish and chicken dishes. | 주로 고기, 생선이나 닭고기 요리를 많이 하지. |
| My laptop is in it. | 안에 내 노트북 있어. |
| There is nothing much left to do, there are only bits and pieces. | 크게 할 건 없어, 그냥 자잘한 거 몇 개 하면 돼. |
| But I don't know him well. | 잘 아는 사이는 아니네. |
| What do you expect English teachers to look like? | 영어 선생님은 어떻게 생겼다고 생각하길래요? |
| But it has expired and it has a hole in it. | 근데 유통기한이 지났고 구멍이 나 있어요. |
| Yes, she is coming back, but isn't it what I always do? | 응, 돌아온대. 근데 난 항상 청소 하잖아? |
| What kind of trick is that? | 잔꾀라니 무슨 소리야? |
| Are you sure she is from Australia? | 진짜 호주출신이 맞아? |
| Kisses to you, too, I'll call you when I get there! | 자기한테도 뽀뽀. 도착하면 전화할게! |
| That's why they're 50% off. | 그러니까 50%를 깎았지. |
| That's fine, I'm almost ready. | 그렇구나, 나도 거의 준비 됐어. |
| As far as I know, Chows are not good with other animals. | 그런데 차우차우는 다른 동물들하고 잘 못 어울린다고 알고 있는데. |
| Pogo still hates coming to the vet, though! | 포고야 여전히 동물병원 가는 걸 질색하지만! |
| Do you want me to get you a glass of wine? | 와인 한 잔이라도 줄까? |
| It's about a web project. | 웹 프로젝트에 관한 건데. |
| I don't mind sitting outside as long as I'm not cold. | 춥지만 않으면 바깥에 앉는 것도 좋아. |