







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 | |
|---|---|
| Hello, is that Cate? | 여보세요, 케이트야? |
| Yes, it seems more logical in this case. | 그렇네, 그게 더 합리적인 판단 같아. |
| I live just opposite the pub. | 나는 그 술집 바로 맞은편에 살아요. |
| Hey, what happened? Is everything okay? | 무슨 일이야? 괜찮은 거 맞아? |
| I have one sister and she is nineteen. | 여동생이 있는데 19살이야. |
| It has 1 year to pass its expiry date. | 유통기한이 지나려면 아직 1년이 남았어요. |
| Kisses to you, too, I'll call you when I get there! | 자기한테도 뽀뽀. 도착하면 전화할게! |
| Oh, sorry, I didn't know I wasn't allowed to order what I want! | 아, 미안해라, 내가 먹고싶은 걸 주문해서는 안되는 줄 모르고 있었네! |
| Not long, my lessons start at 12:30. | 늦게까지는 아니고, 수업이 12:30에 시작하거든. |
| I am planning to sleep in a bit since it's a holiday. | 휴일이라 좀 늦잠 자려고 했거든. |
| It says best before 25th of February. | 2월 25일 전에 먹으라는데. |
| Oh really? That's not good. | 아 정말? 그건 별론데. |
| Yes, I think she's great! | 네, 되게 잘 하신다고 봐요! |
| Watch out for the 3rd step, it's not very stable. | 계단에 세번째 발판 조심해요, 고정이 잘 안돼있으니까. |
| Hmm... Tomorrow is a bank holiday. | 어... 내일은 뱅크 홀리데이니까. |
| It's half past 4, so we are here right on time. | 4시 반이니까 딱 맞게 온 건데. |
| I'm sorry but I have bad news about the room... | 미안하지만 방 관련해서 안 좋은 소식이 있어서... |
| He is one of my best friends, unfortunately. | 슬프게도, 제 절친 중 한 명이랍니다. |
| Thanks for offering me that, dear. | 어머, 그런 제안 해줘서 고마워. |
| How is it my fault? | 그게 어떻게 내 탓이야? |