







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 | |
|---|---|
| Is it hay fever? I've got some pills for it! | 꽃가루 알레르기예요? 그거라면 저한테 약이 좀 있는데! |
| There is a robot in a kid's body, but he doesn't know he's a robot. | 아이의 몸을 한 로봇이 있는 거지, 그런데 자기가 로봇인 줄 모르는 거야. |
| Is that okay for you? | 그럼 되겠어? |
| I searched: does Pinocchio know he is not a real boy. | 피노키오는 자기가 진짜 아이가 아니라는 걸 아나요, 라고 검색했어. |
| There are plenty more, but I think gumtree.com is the best. | 여러 개 더 있지만, 검트리가 제일 나은 거 같긴 해. |
| How often do you have free time, then? | 시간은 얼마나 자주 나는데요? |
| That's nice, what do you usually cook? | 멋지다. 보통 어떤 걸 요리해? |
| Last night we were open till very late, and you know her excuse. | 어젯 밤 아주 늦게까지 영업했거든. 걔는 좀 쉴만 하잖아. |
| Why is that? | 그건 왜 그런데? |
| Oh, sorry! You don't like cleaning things, I can do it. | 아, 미안! 너 뭘 씻고 하는 거 싫어하지, 내가 할게. |
| How are things going, is everything ok? | 일은 어때, 다 잘 되가? |
| Oh my god! It’s almost 12 o’clock. | 아 세상에! 벌써 12시가 다 돼가네. |
| The place I am having the meeting is very close to Brighton Pier. | 미팅 장소가 브라이튼 부두랑 되게 가까워. |
| It's too fruity. | 너무 과일향 나. |
| Maybe I know your friend. | 내가 그쪽 친구 알지도 모르죠. |
| What do you expect English teachers to look like? | 영어 선생님은 어떻게 생겼다고 생각하길래요? |
| There are some vending machines in the station. | 역에 자판기가 좀 있을 텐데. |
| Um, on this floor, it's only me and a French girl next door. | 음, 이 층에는 나하고 옆집에 프랑스 여자애가 살아. |
| Sorry, madam, Friday is one of our busiest nights! | 죄송합니다, 부인, 금요일 저녁은 제일 바쁜 시간 중 하나라서요! |
| Hey, we are back. | 어이, 우리 왔어. |