







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 | |
|---|---|
| Yeah, do you mean tricycles? | 아, 인력거 같은 거? |
| Those kind of irresponsible people make me angry! | 그렇게 무책임한 사람들을 보면 화가 난단 말이지! |
| Why did you ask, do you want me to boil it? | 왜 물어봤어? 삶았으면 좋겠어? |
| Yeah, it is very important for me, actually. | 응, 사실 나한테는 굉장히 중요해. |
| I really don't want to see her again! | 그 여자는 다시는 보고 싶지 않아! |
| First of all, it's so sad to see them in pain. | 일단, 반려동물이 아파하는 걸 지켜보는 건 슬프고. |
| Calm down dear, I don't think he realises what he says. | 침착해 자기, 자기가 무슨 말 하는지 알면서 말한 것도 아닌 거 같아. |
| Does that help you to believe me? | 이제 좀 내 말이 믿어져? |
| Hello Mike, not much, how are you? | 안녕 마이크, 별 건 아니고, 어떻게 지내? |
| I'm so sorry about the inconvenience. | 불편을 끼쳐드려서 정말 미안합니다. |
| Why don't you answer your phone? | 전화는 왜 안 받았어? |
| No, actually, he is properly toilet trained. | 아냐, 원래는 배변 훈련이 잘 돼있어. |
| She could even have been her mum... Who knows? | 그 여자 어머니일 수도 있는 거고... 혹시 모르잖아? |
| I want to be sober and energetic for tomorrow. | 내일을 위해 오늘은 멀쩡한 정신으로 에너지를 아껴두고 싶어서. |
| Are you close friends? | 둘이 친해요? |
| Do we have any paper towels? | 우리 종이타월 있어? |
| That's a perfect time to see a house... | 그건 집 보기에 딱 좋은 시간이지... |
| I see, I love cooking! | 그렇구나. 난 요리 정말 좋아하는데! |
| You know some people don't like putting their ad on the internet. | 어떤 사람들은 인터넷에 광고 게시하는 걸 안 좋아하잖아. |
| I don't think she wants to talk or solve anything! | 얘기하거나 뭘 해결하려는 마음인 거 같지도 않아! |