







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 too fruity. | 너무 과일향 나. |
| There is no table for you, then! | 그럼 자리 못 구하는 거지, 뭐! |
| Are they older or younger? | 언니, 아니면 동생? |
| Of course, my name is Cate and my number is 077... | 물론이죠, 제 이름은 케이트고 번호는 077... |
| 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. |
| As I said, it's much easier to open with two people. | 말했죠, 두 사람이 하면 훨씬 열기 쉽다고. |
| Yeah, I think this wardrobe is too small for two people. | 맞아, 이 옷장은 두 사람 쓰기에는 너무 작아. |
| Exactly, so do you think snails are bugs or not? | 바로 그거야. 그래서 달팽이는 벌레야 아니야? |
| No, I have really bad allergies. | 아뇨, 알레르기가 정말 심해서 그래요. |
| I've only got Saturday left before I have to move on Sunday. | 일요일에 이사 가기 전에 토요일 하루 밖에 안 남았어. |
| I am planning to sleep in a bit since it's a holiday. | 휴일이라 좀 늦잠 자려고 했거든. |
| It doesn't matter, I think they are the same distance away. | 상관 없는 거 같아, 둘다 거리가 비슷비슷할걸. |
| Hello, I'm sorry, but there is no chardonnay left, Cate. | 안녕, 케이트, 미안한데 샤르도네 남은 게 없대. |
| Yes, that's the one. | 응, 그거 맞아요. |
| Of course, oh, there is a half-eaten pizza in the oven. | 물론이지, 어, 오븐 안에 반만 먹고 남은 피자가 있어. |
| Her name is Ayumi! | 이름은 아유미야! |
| Maybe she really is allergic to cats, we don't know that. | 정말 고양이한테 알레르기가 있어서 그럴 수도 있지, 그건 모르는 거야. |
| Yeah, it's open here already... | 그럼, 벌써 여기 열어뒀는걸... |
| I don't think it's possible to find anymore variations. | 여기서 변화를 어떻게 더 준다고 그래. |
| Well, that's another problem! | 그러니까 문제란 말이지! |