







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 | |
|---|---|
| As they say, time is the best medicine. | 옛말에 시간이 약이라고 하잖아. |
| How long does the flight usually take? | 비행기 타고 보통 얼마쯤 걸려? |
| Come on in, here on the ground floor, we have two bedrooms... | 들어와요, 여기 1층에는 침실이 두 개 있고... |
| And we have to weigh everything by ourselves, etcetera. | 그리고 무게도 직접 다 재야 되고, 뭐 그렇잖아. |
| How is it my fault? | 그게 어떻게 내 탓이야? |
| There is nothing much left to do, there are only bits and pieces. | 크게 할 건 없어, 그냥 자잘한 거 몇 개 하면 돼. |
| Are there any fries or any kind of snacks? | 튀김이나 다른 안주 뭐 있어? |
| Thank you again for giving me your turn. | 차례 양보해줘서 정말 고마워. |
| I'm calling him now then, do you want anything else? | 그럼 지금 전화할게, 또 뭐 필요한 거 있어? |
| Hey, the water is boiling, do you want me to pour it into a pot? | 물이 끓고 있어. 냄비로 옮겨 부을까? |
| I'm a bit paranoid about it. | 약간 편집증이 생겨버렸지 뭐야. |
| I'm an English teacher. | 영어 선생님이에요. |
| Do you have any area in mind? | 너는 생각하고 있는 구역이 있어? |
| How do you want me to chop the onions, big or small? | 양파는 어떻게 썰면 되겠어, 크게 아니면 작게? |
| There are some vending machines in the station. | 역에 자판기가 좀 있을 텐데. |
| It doesn't matter, I think they are the same distance away. | 상관 없는 거 같아, 둘다 거리가 비슷비슷할걸. |
| He's a... Sorry Mike, what do you do? | 뭘 하냐면... 미안한데 마이크, 너 직업이 뭐지? |
| How much rice do you need? | 쌀이 얼마나 필요해? |
| I know, I thought you might like to have it with her alone. | 아는데, 그 여자랑 단둘이 먹는 게 낫겠다 싶었지. |
| You are so realistic dear, where is your wedding ring? | 실감이 정말 넘쳐나, 자기, 결혼 반지는 어디 있어? |