







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 | |
|---|---|
| Hope to see you later. | 나중에 봐. |
| No, I haven't, I don't know what's yours in the fridge. | 아니, 네 냉장고에서 뭐가 네 건지를 모르겠어서. |
| Anyway, my lesson is starting now, I have to go. | 아무튼, 곧 수업이 시작해. 가봐야겠어. |
| You were explaining why you are here at 07:30 in the morning. | 아침 7시 반에 왜 왔는지 설명하던 중이었죠. |
| It's half past 4, so we are here right on time. | 4시 반이니까 딱 맞게 온 건데. |
| I need some parsley, but it looks a bit limp. | 파슬리가 좀 필요한데 약간 싱싱하지 않아보여. |
| Is it because it's too violent? | 너무 잔인해서 그래? |
| Well, instead of chicken you can try the duck, it's yummy! | 그럼, 닭 대신에 오리를 먹어보면 되지, 맛있다니까! |
| No, actually, he is properly toilet trained. | 아냐, 원래는 배변 훈련이 잘 돼있어. |
| Hey, what happened? Is everything okay? | 무슨 일이야? 괜찮은 거 맞아? |
| It doesn't matter, I think they are the same distance away. | 상관 없는 거 같아, 둘다 거리가 비슷비슷할걸. |
| It's almost 09:30. | 거의 9시 반 다 됐어. |
| 50% of 135 is 67.50... And it comes to totally 202.50. | 135에 50%를 하면 67.5니까... 총 202.5인 거지. |
| When I have free time. | 시간이 있으면 가죠. |
| Erm... Yeah... Sure! It's our first anniversary! | 어... 네... 그럼요! 저희 첫번째 결혼기념일이에요! |
| Yeah, I like having lasagne the day after it's cooked, it tastes better. | 하긴, 나도 요리한지 하루 된 라자냐를 좋아해. 그게 더 맛있더라. |
| Do you like red or white onions? | 적양파가 좋아, 흰 양파가 좋아? |
| Do you live around here? | 이 주변 살아요? |
| I usually take the train. | 보통 기차 타고 가지. |
| What's your maximum monthly budget for the rent? | 방값으로 한달에 최대 얼마쯤 잡고 있어? |