







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 | |
|---|---|
| As far as I know, Chows are not good with other animals. | 그런데 차우차우는 다른 동물들하고 잘 못 어울린다고 알고 있는데. |
| That's nice, I like the music and the lyrics. | 노래 좋다, 음악이랑 가사가 마음에 들어. |
| My lovely wife always tells me how good your spring rolls are. | 제 사랑스러운 아내가 언제나 이 집 춘권을 칭찬한답니다. |
| What's your plan, Cate? | 케이트, 이제 뭐할 거야? |
| Good thanks, I'm fine, too. | 다행이네. 나도 잘 지내. |
| Is it hay fever? I've got some pills for it! | 꽃가루 알레르기예요? 그거라면 저한테 약이 좀 있는데! |
| Also, one of my friends works there. | 그리고, 내 친구 중에 거기 일하는 애가 있어요. |
| No, this one is the shop's own brand, that's why it's not expensive. | 아냐, 이건 이 가게 브랜드라서 안 비싼 거야. |
| Yeah, I want to see the bathroom... | 네, 화장실도 좀 봤으면 하는데요... |
| I'm unleashing him now, is that okay for you? | 목줄 풀게. 그래도 괜찮겠어? |
| Thanks for being thoughtful, dear. | 신경 써줘서 고마워, 자기. |
| Yeah, I guess spring is the worst time for allergies! | 하긴, 봄철이 알레르기에 끔찍하긴 하죠! |
| Okay, that's fine. | 알았어, 괜찮아. |
| Hello Mike, not much, how are you? | 안녕 마이크, 별 건 아니고, 어떻게 지내? |
| Don't worry Mike, I think this one is better. | 걱정마, 마이크. 난 이쪽이 더 좋아. |
| No worries Mike, as I said, he only does it when he is stressed. | 걱정 말래두 마이크, 스트레스 받았을 때만 그런다니까. |
| I don't mind sitting outside as long as I'm not cold. | 춥지만 않으면 바깥에 앉는 것도 좋아. |
| I think we should wait for a while till all that smoke disappears. | 연기가 다 사라질 때 까지 좀 기다려야 할 것 같아. |
| Erm... You look about 30? | 흠... 한 서른 정도? |
| Yeah, I think it's a bit early to knock on someone's door! | 네, 남의 집 문을 두들기기에는 좀 이른 시간 같은데요! |