







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 | |
|---|---|
| I hope he gets well soon. | 빨리 나아지시길 빌게. |
| Hey, which is the closest station to China Town? | 있지, 차이나타운에 제일 가까운 역이 어디야? |
| I guess so, but I want to finish seeing all the houses today. | 그렇긴 해도, 집 알아보는 거 오늘 다 끝내고 싶어서. |
| Erm... Yeah... Sure! It's our first anniversary! | 어... 네... 그럼요! 저희 첫번째 결혼기념일이에요! |
| There is also some cheese, but it's a bit mouldy. | 치즈도 좀 있는데 곰팡이가 살짝 폈더라고. |
| But which button? It doesn't show which controls which! | 어느 버튼? 뭐가 뭘 조절하는지 안 나와있는데! |
| I have an appointment with the home office for my visa extension. | 비자 연장하러 내무부에 가기로 약속 잡아놨어. |
| It's like there's evil hidden inside them! | 속에 무슨 마귀라도 숨겨놓은 거 같다구! |
| I think so, at least there is no aggression. | 그런 것 같은데, 최소한 공격 태세는 아니잖아. |
| Erm, sorry, but I think you have the wrong Mike... | 어어, 죄송하지만 사람을 잘못 아신 것 같은데요... |
| I hope they are going to be here on time, too... I don't like waiting. | 그쪽 사람들도 시간에 맞게 오면 좋겠는데... 기다리는 건 싫다구. |
| Really? I don't want to ruin your plan, but... | 정말? 계획을 망치고 싶지는 않은데, 그렇지만... |
| What's the reason for the cancellation this time? | 이번엔 또 뭣 때문에 취소하겠다는 건데? |
| With gas stoves, someone can leave the gas on, it's too dangerous! | 가스레인지를 쓰는데 누가 가스를 안 잠그면, 너무 위험하잖아! |
| That's very interesting! | 그건 신기한데요! |
| Thank you very much! | 아주 고맙네요! |
| He only does it when he is extremely stressed! | 극도로 스트레스 받을 때만 그러는 거야! |
| Those kind of irresponsible people make me angry! | 그렇게 무책임한 사람들을 보면 화가 난단 말이지! |
| Well, instead of chicken you can try the duck, it's yummy! | 그럼, 닭 대신에 오리를 먹어보면 되지, 맛있다니까! |
| What's wrong with him? | 걔는 어디가 아픈 거예요? |