







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 | |
|---|---|
| Look, there is a shop assistant. | 봐, 저기 가게 종업원이 있다. |
| Is it possible to move in tomorrow? | 내일 바로 이사와도 되나요? |
| Of course, 2 tomatoes are enough, I think. | 물론이지, 토마토는 2개면 충분할 것 같아. |
| Ah, I'm very sorry, but we're fully booked tonight! | 아, 무척 죄송하지만 오늘 저녁은 만석이라서요! |
| Okay, here we are, this is Honeybrook Street. | 그래, 그럼 자, 여기가 허니브룩 스트릿이야. |
| My landlords are a gay couple. | 우리 집주인 게이 커플이야. |
| And secondly, vets are so expensive! | 그리고 둘째로, 동물병원 너무 비싸! |
| He is a plumber, dear, apparently it's clogged. | 배관수리공이셔, 변기가 막혔대나봐. |
| Do you have a cigarette? | 담배 있냐? |
| It won't change anything, but reminding me is stressing me out! | 달라지는 건 없어도 자꾸 말하면 스트레스 받는다고! |
| Normally, it's much more expensive than the other ones. | 보통은 다른 것보다 훨씬 더 비싼데. |
| Yeah, I think the logo looks much better in the centre, what do you think? | 응, 이 로고 중앙에 두는 게 훨씬 나은 거 같아. 어떻게 생각해? |
| So 2017 minus 1841 equals... | 그러니까 2017 빼기 1841을 하면... |
| I wake up and make my bed, then tidy my room. | 아침에 일어나면 이불을 개고 방 청소를 한다구. |
| No, I haven't, I don't know what's yours in the fridge. | 아니, 네 냉장고에서 뭐가 네 건지를 모르겠어서. |
| I was just joking, how are you? | 농담해 본 거야. 좀 어떻게 지냈어? |
| Yeah, it's a very popular restaurant. | 응, 엄청 인기있는 레스토랑이니까. |
| You are right, it's probably worth more than one cigarette. | 인정할게. 담배 한 개피보다는 비쌀 거다. |
| Do you like train rides, too? | 기차 타는 것도 좋아해? |
| Sorry, I hope it doesn't ruin your childhood memories... | 미안, 어린 시절의 기억이 더럽혀지지 않았길 바라... |