







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 | |
|---|---|
| They are both okay for me. | 둘다 나는 상관없어. |
| Right! Who wants chardonnay, then? | 좋아! 그럼 샤르도네 마실 사람은? |
| Really? Sade is one of my favourites, too. | 정말? 나도 샤데이 엄청 좋아해. |
| As they say, time is the best medicine. | 옛말에 시간이 약이라고 하잖아. |
| What do you do? | 일은 뭐하는데요? |
| How is it my fault? | 그게 어떻게 내 탓이야? |
| I don't think she wants to talk or solve anything! | 얘기하거나 뭘 해결하려는 마음인 거 같지도 않아! |
| I'm happy to hear we have similar music taste! | 우리 음악 취향이 비슷하다니 기쁜걸! |
| No, but it's not good for him to take the stairs up and down everyday. | 그렇진 않아, 하지만 매일 계단을 오르락내리락하는 건 좋지 않아서. |
| Oh, I think I know them. | 오, 알 것 같아. |
| Oh sorry dear, my husband has some difficulties hearing... | 아유, 미안해라, 우리 남편이 귀가 안 좋아서요... |
| Is it because the other tenants don't want pets? | 다른 세입자들이 반려동물이 들어오는 걸 꺼려해서 그런가요? |
| I feel a bit tired and very hungry. | 약간 피곤하고 되게 배고파서. |
| Which website do you use? | 사이트 뭐 쓰는데? |
| Your perfectly shaped mushrooms are ready! | 귀하의 완벽한 모양의 버섯이 준비되었습니다! |
| 50% of 135 is 67.50... And it comes to totally 202.50. | 135에 50%를 하면 67.5니까... 총 202.5인 거지. |
| How much are they supposed to pay? | 얼마 주기로 돼있었는데? |
| What's the time, are we early? | 지금 몇 시지, 우리가 일찍 왔나? |
| And he looks about 3 years old now. | 그런데 고양이가 지금 딱 세 살쯤 돼보이니까. |
| We're out tonight for Laura. | 오늘은 로라를 위해 나온 거야. |