







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 | |
|---|---|
| I want to try the sauvignon blanc. | 난 소비뇽 블랑 한 번 마셔보고 싶어. |
| Sorry, I don't have much time, can I tell you the story when I'm back? | 미안해요, 내가 시간이 별로 없어서, 갔다 와서 얘기해줘도 돼요? |
| A one year course? What kind of course is it? | 1년짜리 수업이라고? 무슨 수업이길래 그래? |
| I like the seafood restaurants there. | 거기 해물 레스토랑 좋더라. |
| What's your favourite movie? | 네가 제일 좋아하는 영화는 뭐야? |
| That's nice, I guess I like the house very much! | 좋은 걸요, 전 이 집이 되게 마음에 들어요! |
| But their room is almost double the size of our room! | 하지만 그 사람들 방은 우리 방보다 거의 두 배나 크잖아요! |
| How much garlic do you want? | 마늘은 얼마나 있으면 되겠어? |
| I don't know, probably put it in the bin. | 몰라, 쓰레기통에 버리든가 했겠지. |
| Yeah, I want to see the bathroom... | 네, 화장실도 좀 봤으면 하는데요... |
| What's your plan, Cate? | 케이트, 이제 뭐할 거야? |
| But I want to see Brighton Pier before the sun sets. | 하지만 해가 지기 전에 브라이튼 부두를 보면 좋겠어. |
| Yes I did, why, isn't it normal? | 응, 그랬는데. 왜, 그럼 안돼? |
| It's not a nice thing to say to a woman... | 여자한테 그런 말은 상처가 된다구... |
| Oh, sorry! You don't like cleaning things, I can do it. | 아, 미안! 너 뭘 씻고 하는 거 싫어하지, 내가 할게. |
| Are they older or younger? | 언니, 아니면 동생? |
| Sorry, look, here is the station. | 미안한데, 봐봐, 역 도착했다. |
| How long does it usually take? | 보통 얼마쯤 걸리는데? |
| Hello Mike, not much, how are you? | 안녕 마이크, 별 건 아니고, 어떻게 지내? |
| That's so sad, how old are your parents? | 아, 그건 너무 슬프다. 부모님 연세가 어떻게 되셔? |