







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 | |
|---|---|
| That's fine, I'm almost ready. | 그렇구나, 나도 거의 준비 됐어. |
| No, but that's what I feel like having... | 아니, 근데 먹고 싶어서 그러지... |
| What's the time, are we early? | 지금 몇 시지, 우리가 일찍 왔나? |
| I've checked some, there is nothing I like so far. | 좀 찾아보긴 했는데, 아직 내 마음에 드는 게 없어. |
| No, this one is the shop's own brand, that's why it's not expensive. | 아냐, 이건 이 가게 브랜드라서 안 비싼 거야. |
| I mostly cook meat, fish and chicken dishes. | 주로 고기, 생선이나 닭고기 요리를 많이 하지. |
| It doesn't matter, I think they are the same distance away. | 상관 없는 거 같아, 둘다 거리가 비슷비슷할걸. |
| No, it's the owner, she is an old lady and very strict about that. | 그게 아니라, 집주인이, 나이 드신 할머니신데 동물에 관해 꽤나 깐깐하세요. |
| Bear is okay with cats, but definitely not with dogs. | 베어는 고양이하고는 잘 지내는데 개하고는 전혀 아냐. |
| That's why you can't find the answer! | 그러니까 답을 못 찾는 거지! |
| But that's true, some Chows are a bit aggressive. | 하지만 사실이긴 해, 어떤 차우차우들은 좀 공격적이지. |
| Is there a knife? | 나이프는 있어? |
| Really? How do I wake you up? | 정말? 내가 널 어떻게 깨우는데? |
| I think you wake me up more often than mosquitoes do! | 사실 네가 모기보다 나를 밤에 더 많이 깨우는 거 같아! |
| Look, you can watch the sunset best from this point. | 봐, 여기서 석양이 제일 잘 보여. |
| Yes, Bear eats one and a half cats everyday for breakfast. | 맞아. 베어는 아침마다 1.5마리의 고양이를 먹어치운다구. |
| That's a good choice, they do great calamari here, too. | 좋은 선택이야. 여기 오징어도 굉장히 맛있거든. |
| Good point, I'm sure they don't pay that much! | 맞아, 그 사람들은 그만큼 돈 안 낼 걸! |
| Erm, we don't have any, but there is someone else's bread. | 음, 내 건 없는데, 남의 빵은 있지. |
| Do you want me to wash the wine bottle before I pour it? | 와인 따르기 전에 병도 씻을까? |