







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 | |
|---|---|
| Right! Who wants chardonnay, then? | 좋아! 그럼 샤르도네 마실 사람은? |
| And it's hard to believe, but it's clean. | 그리고 믿기 어렵겠지만 깨끗하답니다. |
| That's nice, what do you usually cook? | 멋지다. 보통 어떤 걸 요리해? |
| Who is Mike, darling? | 얘, 마이크는 누구야? |
| Isn't that funny? | 그거 웃기지 않아요? |
| No, she is totally fine, thankfully. | 아니, 다행히도 엄마는 쌩쌩해. |
| As they say, time is the best medicine. | 옛말에 시간이 약이라고 하잖아. |
| The meeting is not the actual problem! | 회의가 중요한 게 아냐! |
| I don't know, maximum 33? | 글쎄, 최대 서른 셋? |
| Hello, I'm very sorry dear, I'm a bit late. | 안녕, 정말 미안해 자기, 내가 좀 늦었지. |
| I haven't been there before, where is it? | 거긴 안 가봤는데, 어디야? |
| But Bear has got hip dysplasia. | 근데 베어한테 고관절 문제가 있거든. |
| My cat is in the garden. | 내 고양이가 정원에 있거든요. |
| What's the time, are we early? | 지금 몇 시지, 우리가 일찍 왔나? |
| There is no table for you, then! | 그럼 자리 못 구하는 거지, 뭐! |
| Oh hello... I forgot to mention, it's also a very special occasion... | 아 안녕하세요... 제가 말하는 걸 깜빡했는데요, 엄청 중요한 날이라서요... |
| But sometimes I feel guilty not being there! | 하지만 내가 없으니까 가끔은 죄책감이 들어! |
| Oh yeah, it's our girls' night out tonight. | 아 응, 오늘 여자들끼리 놀러 나온 거야. |
| I guess time doesn't pass for you while I'm away. | 내가 곁에 없으면 자기 시간은 안 흘러가나 보다. |
| No worries, I am not together with Mike. | 그리고 걱정 말아요, 마이크랑 사귀는 사이 아니니까. |