







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 | |
|---|---|
| But it has expired and it has a hole in it. | 근데 유통기한이 지났고 구멍이 나 있어요. |
| Yes I did, why, isn't it normal? | 응, 그랬는데. 왜, 그럼 안돼? |
| Thank you, I'm 26. | 고마워요, 나는 26살이니까. |
| It seems there is no one in the house! | 집에 아무도 없는 모양인데! |
| I live very close by. | 요 바로 근처에 살아요. |
| Oh god, it's the second thing I hate doing in the kitchen! | 아 저런, 그건 내가 두번째로 싫어하는 부엌일인데! |
| Okay, who sings it? | 좋아, 누가 부르는데? |
| Yes, that's a good idea. | 응, 좋은 생각인걸. |
| I don't like going to hospitals, either. | 나도 병원가는 거 싫어하니까. |
| There is nothing under 3,000 in Angel! | 엔젤에는 3000 밑으로 아무 데도 없어! |
| How is there four of us? | 어떻게 사람이 네 명이 돼? |
| I hope she is not a problematic one, then... | 골치덩어리 친구는 아니면 좋겠는데... |
| That's not nice, Mike! | 마이크, 그러면 안되지! |
| What else do we need? | 또 뭐가 필요하지? |
| Bear's sitting here with me, his willy is out. | 베어 여기 내 옆에 앉아있지. 거시기가 뿅 튀어나왔네. |
| My favourite movie is Pulp Fiction. | 내가 제일 좋아하는 영화는 <펄프 픽션>이야. |
| I hate taking long flights! | 나 비행기 오래 타는 게 질색이거든! |
| Really? I don't want to ruin your plan, but... | 정말? 계획을 망치고 싶지는 않은데, 그렇지만... |
| I think the price is very cheap. | 되게 싼 것 같아. |
| Calm down dear, I don't think he realises what he says. | 침착해 자기, 자기가 무슨 말 하는지 알면서 말한 것도 아닌 거 같아. |