







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 | |
|---|---|
| Don't worry, I don't like having a very heavy breakfast. | 걱정 마, 난 아침 많이 먹는 거 그다지 좋아하지 않아. |
| Well, not really! I don't like cooking much. | 어, 그건 아니. 난 요리 별로 안 좋아하거든. |
| I'd like to one day, when they invent teleportation. | 순간이동이 발명되는 날 가보면 좋겠다. |
| My cat is in the garden. | 내 고양이가 정원에 있거든요. |
| And he looks about 3 years old now. | 그런데 고양이가 지금 딱 세 살쯤 돼보이니까. |
| How much do you pay for your room? | 네 방은 얼마 내는데? |
| Do you want me to call them? | 전화는 내가 할까? |
| I would like to... But I have other things to do... | 그럼 좋기야 하겠지만... 다른 할 일이 있는데... |
| I live just opposite the pub. | 나는 그 술집 바로 맞은편에 살아요. |
| Are you the only smoker in the house? | 이 건물에 담배 피우는 사람 너 밖에 없어? |
| Yeah, it's not common, but that's what it says in the recipe. | 그래, 흔치는 않지만, 레시피가 그렇게 말하는 걸. |
| You are right, it's probably worth more than one cigarette. | 인정할게. 담배 한 개피보다는 비쌀 거다. |
| Yes sir, you can have a seat at this table. | 네, 이쪽 테이블로 안내해드릴게요. |
| Are you close friends? | 둘이 친해요? |
| That's right, I think pressure cookers are quite dangerous, too! | 맞아, 그리고 압력솥도 꽤 위험하다고 생각해! |
| I searched: does Pinocchio know he is not a real boy. | 피노키오는 자기가 진짜 아이가 아니라는 걸 아나요, 라고 검색했어. |
| Umm... We are married... I mean, today is our wedding anniversary! | 그... 저희가 부부라서... 그러니까, 오늘이 저희 결혼 기념일이거든요! |
| Yes, I think she's great! | 네, 되게 잘 하신다고 봐요! |
| There is a little market near the school. | 학교 근처에 작은 슈퍼마켓이 있는데. |
| That's a very interesting combination. | 되게 재밌는 조합이네. |