







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 | |
|---|---|
| You know, I usually have some early morning lessons. | 난 보통 아침 일찍 수업이 있잖아. |
| I don't think so, trains leave about every 20 minutes. | 괜찮을걸. 기차가 20분마다 오니까. |
| He hasn't realised that we are at a vet yet. | 아직 동물병원인 걸 눈치 못채고 있네. |
| Those kind of irresponsible people make me angry! | 그렇게 무책임한 사람들을 보면 화가 난단 말이지! |
| I like some Jamiroquai songs, but not all of them. | 자미로콰이 노래는 몇 개는 좋아하는데, 다는 아니고. |
| Hello guys, is it possible to make a little less noise? | 안녕 여러분, 소리 좀 낮춰줄 수 있어요? |
| You are absolutely right! | 지당하신 말씀! |
| I think I deserve a kiss... | 나 키스를 받을만하다고 생각하는데... |
| I mostly work till late at night, I never wake up at 7 in the morning. | 나는 보통 밤 늦게까지 일해서, 아침 7시에는 절대 못 일어나는데. |
| I can cook, of course, but only when I feel like it. | 할 수야 있지, 물론. 하지만 하고 싶을 때만 해. |
| Yes, it seems more logical in this case. | 그렇네, 그게 더 합리적인 판단 같아. |
| How much are they supposed to pay? | 얼마 주기로 돼있었는데? |
| Yes, that's okay, we are just about to leave. | 응, 괜찮아, 이제 막 뜨려던 참이었어. |
| I'm a bit paranoid about it. | 약간 편집증이 생겨버렸지 뭐야. |
| Yes, that's a good idea. | 응, 좋은 생각인걸. |
| It's too fruity. | 너무 과일향 나. |
| What do you want me to do with them? | 이걸로 뭘 하길 원해? |
| I've finally completed it and tomorrow is the big day! | 드디어 완성했으니, 내일이 결전의 날이야! |
| It sounds like a good deal. | 좋은 생각 같은걸. |
| As I'm a smoker, I prefer sitting outside. | 나는 흡연자라서 바깥을 선호하긴 해. |