







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 | |
|---|---|
| People take cutlery to their rooms and don't bring it back! | 사람들이 수저를 방으로 가져가놓곤 가지고 오지를 않아! |
| Oh hello... I forgot to mention, it's also a very special occasion... | 아 안녕하세요... 제가 말하는 걸 깜빡했는데요, 엄청 중요한 날이라서요... |
| Yes, I can hear you, but I don't understand! | 그래, 말은 들리는데, 이해가 안돼! |
| How much do you pay for your room? | 네 방은 얼마 내는데? |
| It's hard to believe, but we have a pressure cooker in the house. | 믿기 힘들겠지만, 이 집에는 압력솥이 있어. |
| Sorry, the line is very bad! | 미안, 통화연결이 안 좋아! |
| I don't believe you! What's the difference today? | 무슨 소리야! 오늘이라고 뭐가 다르다고? |
| Right! Who wants chardonnay, then? | 좋아! 그럼 샤르도네 마실 사람은? |
| How much garlic do you want? | 마늘은 얼마나 있으면 되겠어? |
| That's right, we should never forget how irresponsible my housemates are. | 맞아, 내 하우스메이트들이 얼마나 무책임한지 결코 잊어서는 안 되는데. |
| Why did you ask, do you want me to boil it? | 왜 물어봤어? 삶았으면 좋겠어? |
| I think so, he can look around while Bear is not here. | 그게 좋겠어, 베어가 없는 동안 주변 좀 둘러볼 수 있도록. |
| I mean, you don't live here with anyone from your family. | 그러니까, 가족 중에 아무도 여기서 같이 안 사는 거구나. |
| No, I won't... I don't want a house in Mayfair anymore! | 안 할 거야... 더는 메이페어에 있는 집을 구하고 싶지 않아! |
| Don't you think two forks are enough for us? | 포크 두 개면 충분하지 않아? |
| My sisters live nearby, they help her sometimes. | 우리 언니들이 근처에 사니까, 가끔씩 도와드리곤 해. |
| Where are you? | 지금 어디야? |
| Okay, it seems they have no aggression towards each other. | 응, 서로한테 공격적으로 굴지는 않는 것 같아. |
| He is one of my best friends, unfortunately. | 슬프게도, 제 절친 중 한 명이랍니다. |
| Yes, he definitely doesn't like changing places. | 맞아, 얘는 확실히 이리저리 장소를 옮기는 건 안 좋아한단 말이지. |