







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 | |
|---|---|
| It's very difficult to talk to you on the phone right now. | 너하고 지금 통화하는 거 되게 어려운 상황이야. |
| Isn't Morrison's closer? | 모리슨즈가 더 가깝지 않아? |
| How are you? | 너는 어때? |
| I guess my only choice is coming to your house! | 네 집에서 사는 거 말고는 선택지가 아무 것도 없네! |
| My landlords are a gay couple. | 우리 집주인 게이 커플이야. |
| It's always the same. | 꼭 이런 식이야. |
| I hope it’s not serious. | 별 일 아니면 좋겠는데. |
| Okay, it seems they have no aggression towards each other. | 응, 서로한테 공격적으로 굴지는 않는 것 같아. |
| Is that okay for you? | 그럼 되겠어? |
| Hello, my name is Mike, I'm Cate's boyfriend... | 안녕하세요, 제 이름은 마이크고요, 케이트의 남자친구... |
| The recipe is not from the internet, it's from a Jamie Oliver book. | 인터넷에서 긁은 게 아니라, 제이미 올리버 책에서 찾은 거라구. |
| Look, there is a shop assistant. | 봐, 저기 가게 종업원이 있다. |
| Why? What's wrong? | 왜? 뭐 잘못 됐어? |
| Those kind of irresponsible people make me angry! | 그렇게 무책임한 사람들을 보면 화가 난단 말이지! |
| Hmm, I like pop, rock, funk. | 음, 난 팝이나 락, 펑크가 좋아. |
| I think I did, too, but I've got a really bad headache! | 나도 그런 것 같은데, 지금 머리가 엄청 아프다! |
| Yeah, it's not common, but that's what it says in the recipe. | 그래, 흔치는 않지만, 레시피가 그렇게 말하는 걸. |
| So it's definitely not a divorce situation. | 그러니까 이혼 문제는 아닐 텐데. |
| And these days, I go to that pub quite often. | 요즘 그 술집에 자주 가요. |
| Hey, before you go... | 잠깐, 가기 전에... |