







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 | |
|---|---|
| My husband and I really appreciate it. | 남편도 저도 정말 감사한 마음이에요. |
| Oh sorry, unfortunately, that one is reserved. | 아, 죄송하지만 저 테이블은 예약석입니다. |
| Do you want me to put the chicken into the cooker first? | 닭고기를 솥에 먼저 넣을까? |
| That's nice, the cupboards look good, the bench is okay... | 좋네요, 찬장도 좋아보이고, 식탁도 괜찮고... |
| Also, I think we all need to leave soon. | 실은, 우리 모두 곧 가야할 걸. |
| I haven't been there before, where is it? | 거긴 안 가봤는데, 어디야? |
| He wouldn't run away, he just wants to check what's outside. | 도망치려는 건 아냐. 밖에 뭐가 있는지 보고싶어서 이러는 거야. |
| I am planning to sleep in a bit since it's a holiday. | 휴일이라 좀 늦잠 자려고 했거든. |
| You can just stay with me, until you find somewhere to live. | 살 만한 곳을 찾을 때까지 나랑 같이 지내면 되지. |
| Yes, there are some knives, too. | 응, 나이프도 좀 있어. |
| Of course, there are 4 girls, all uni students from Germany. | 물론이죠, 여자 분이 4분 계시는데, 모두 독일에서 온 대학생이고요. |
| Thank you very much! | 아주 고맙네요! |
| Hey, Cate! Do you need anything? | 이야, 케이트! 뭐 필요한 거 있어? |
| Come on, Mike, it's not about me being home. | 아 진짜, 마이크, 집에 있고 없고의 문제가 아니잖아. |
| Why do you want to live there? | 너는 왜 거기 살고 싶어? |
| Does anyone else need anything? | 다른 거 또 필요한 사람? |
| Is it the one with the blue tongue? | 혀가 파란 개 아녜요? |
| Isn't it too early for dinner? | 저녁 먹기에는 너무 이르지 않아? |
| Umm, oh yes, I can see it now, the ad number is 9845... | 음, 아 맞아요, 이제 보이네요. 광고 번호는 9845예요... |
| As I said, it's much easier to open with two people. | 말했죠, 두 사람이 하면 훨씬 열기 쉽다고. |