







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 are welcome, here is the menu, madam. | 천만에요, 부인, 메뉴판 여기 드리겠습니다. |
| What's your favourite movie? | 네가 제일 좋아하는 영화는 뭐야? |
| Thanks, but I don't have time to stay. | 고맙지만, 곧 가야해서요. |
| Well, I hope he doesn't keep on pooping all around the house! | 흠, 온사방에 똥을 누고 다니지만 않으면 좋을텐데! |
| Maybe she really is allergic to cats, we don't know that. | 정말 고양이한테 알레르기가 있어서 그럴 수도 있지, 그건 모르는 거야. |
| Does that help you to believe me? | 이제 좀 내 말이 믿어져? |
| It's the second one from the top. | 위에서 두 번째 거야. |
| Hello there, are you Cate? | 안녕하세요, 그쪽이 케이트예요? |
| There are some vending machines in the station. | 역에 자판기가 좀 있을 텐데. |
| Okay, if you say so, I trust you! | 그래, 네가 그렇다면야 믿어야지! |
| I have no idea... But I hope they have a good excuse! | 전혀 모르겠지만... 말이 되는 핑계거리가 있는 사람이길 바라! |
| It's on the Northern line, the same one we use here. | 노던 라인이야, 우리가 여기서 쓰는 거랑 똑같이. |
| The recipe is for 6 people. | 레시피는 6인분이야. |
| That's right, we should never forget how irresponsible my housemates are. | 맞아, 내 하우스메이트들이 얼마나 무책임한지 결코 잊어서는 안 되는데. |
| Good thanks, I'm fine, too. | 다행이네. 나도 잘 지내. |
| It's very difficult for me to go there more than once a year. | 1년에 한 번 이상 가는 건 너무 어려운 일이라서. |
| What else do we need? | 또 뭐가 필요하지? |
| Yeah, I think the logo looks much better in the centre, what do you think? | 응, 이 로고 중앙에 두는 게 훨씬 나은 거 같아. 어떻게 생각해? |
| I would like to... But I have other things to do... | 그럼 좋기야 하겠지만... 다른 할 일이 있는데... |
| How much are they supposed to pay? | 얼마 주기로 돼있었는데? |