







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, I've got it! | 응, 찾았어! |
| Is your dog a Chow Chow? | 그쪽 개는 차우차우예요? |
| What else could I do? Do you expect me not to sleep till I die? | 달리 뭘 해야 했는데? 나는 죽을 때 까지 잠도 못 자고 버텨야 했다는 거야? |
| It's not much less... There is a slight difference! | 훨씬 적은 게 아니라... 미묘한 차이일 뿐이에요! |
| Do you go to the Windmill often? | 윈드밀 자주 가요? |
| See you Mike, hope to see you again. | 안녕, 마이크. 나중에 또 봐요. |
| Oh no! Are you sure you don't have anything available? | 아, 저런! 남는 자리가 없는지 확실하세요? |
| Is it possible to move in tomorrow? | 내일 바로 이사와도 되나요? |
| The recipe is not from the internet, it's from a Jamie Oliver book. | 인터넷에서 긁은 게 아니라, 제이미 올리버 책에서 찾은 거라구. |
| It has 1 year to pass its expiry date. | 유통기한이 지나려면 아직 1년이 남았어요. |
| Is it really on the menu? | 그게 메뉴에 있어? |
| Do you know how to use them? | 사용법을 알아? |
| Can you stop acting like I always ask for money? | 너는 내가 맨날 돈 빌리는 사람으로 보이냐? |
| As I'm a smoker, I prefer sitting outside. | 나는 흡연자라서 바깥을 선호하긴 해. |
| Normally, girls check the wine list for half an hour before they order. | 보통 여자애들은 주문하기 전에 세월아 네월아 보고 있는데. |
| Then he finds out he is a robot, not a real kid. | 그러다 자기가 진짜 아이가 아니라 로봇이라는 걸 깨달은 거야. |
| Good thanks, I'm fine, too. | 다행이네. 나도 잘 지내. |
| What's the time, are we early? | 지금 몇 시지, 우리가 일찍 왔나? |
| Why don't you get it then? Do you want to see upstairs or not? | 그럼 그 집으로 하지 그래요? 위층은 볼 거예요 말 거예요? |
| There is one at 11:00 and the next one is at 11:20. | 11시에 하나 있고, 그 다음 건 12시 차야. |