







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 | |
|---|---|
| Which website do you use? | 사이트 뭐 쓰는데? |
| I have no idea what arborio rice is! | 아보리오 쌀이 뭔지 전혀 모르겠는데! |
| I can't call him at the moment because his phone is unreachable. | 전화를 안 받아서 지금은 통화가 안돼. |
| That's why you can't find the answer! | 그러니까 답을 못 찾는 거지! |
| It's all your fault! I feel so embarrassed now... | 다 네 탓이야! 너무 부끄러워져버렸어... |
| I'm happy to hear we have similar music taste! | 우리 음악 취향이 비슷하다니 기쁜걸! |
| Thank you, dear... For helping me to be a liar! | 고마워, 자기... 거짓말쟁이가 되도록 도와줘서! |
| Of course, I researched it well, it's 525 metres. | 응, 잘 조사해뒀지. 525 미터야. |
| Well this is how it is... do you want to see upstairs? | 글쎄, 그렇게 돼있는 걸 어쩌겠어요. 위층도 보겠어요? |
| How long does the flight usually take? | 비행기 타고 보통 얼마쯤 걸려? |
| Well, instead of chicken you can try the duck, it's yummy! | 그럼, 닭 대신에 오리를 먹어보면 되지, 맛있다니까! |
| It says best before 25th of February. | 2월 25일 전에 먹으라는데. |
| I'm sorry to say that no pets are allowed in the house! | 미안하지만 이 건물에는 애완동물은 들일 수 없어요! |
| That's a very interesting combination. | 되게 재밌는 조합이네. |
| Then, I don't think we need to see the next one! | 그럼, 다음 집은 안 봐도 될 거 같아! |
| Are you going to say sorry for saying I am stupid then? | 그럼 나더러 멍청하다고 한 거에 대해 사과해주겠어? |
| I see them around a lot where I work, actually. | 내가 일하는 곳에도 되게 많아. |
| Yeah, I'll have a beer, I guess you want wine, Cate? | 네, 저는 맥주로 하죠. 케이트 너는 와인으로 하려나? |
| Where is Flora, isn't she here? | 플로라는 어딨어. 여기 없어? |
| Thank god there is nothing to worry about. | 천만다행으로, 걱정할 일 없어. |