







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 | |
|---|---|
| The meeting is not the actual problem! | 회의가 중요한 게 아냐! |
| There is also some cheese, but it's a bit mouldy. | 치즈도 좀 있는데 곰팡이가 살짝 폈더라고. |
| Whose cat?... Do you mean my cat? | 누구 고양이 말예요?...내 고양이 말인가? |
| Does anyone else need anything? | 다른 거 또 필요한 사람? |
| As a result, he starts pooping and peeing all over the house. | 결국 온 사방에 똥이랑 오줌을 갈겨버리는 거지. |
| Of course, she is an angel, do you want to talk to your mum? | 그럼, 그럼, 천사같고 말고, 엄마랑 얘기하고 싶은 게냐? |
| Yes, Bear eats one and a half cats everyday for breakfast. | 맞아. 베어는 아침마다 1.5마리의 고양이를 먹어치운다구. |
| You're right, but he is not only here to fix things... | 네 말은 맞는데, 고쳐주려고 온 것뿐만 아니라... |
| By the way, I like the colour of the walls... What do you think? | 그건 그렇고, 벽지 색깔 예쁘다. 어때? |
| And it's hard to believe, but it's clean. | 그리고 믿기 어렵겠지만 깨끗하답니다. |
| He is one of my best friends, unfortunately. | 슬프게도, 제 절친 중 한 명이랍니다. |
| Hi there, are you ready? | 안녕, 준비 됐어? |
| Let me check... Yes, there are some plates. | 보자... 응, 접시는 몇 개 있어. |
| I know, I thought you might like to have it with her alone. | 아는데, 그 여자랑 단둘이 먹는 게 낫겠다 싶었지. |
| Erm... You look about 30? | 흠... 한 서른 정도? |
| What else could I do? Do you expect me not to sleep till I die? | 달리 뭘 해야 했는데? 나는 죽을 때 까지 잠도 못 자고 버텨야 했다는 거야? |
| I've checked some, there is nothing I like so far. | 좀 찾아보긴 했는데, 아직 내 마음에 드는 게 없어. |
| Can I get you some more drinks? | 잔부터 먼저 채워드릴까요? |
| Is that okay for you? | 그럼 되겠어? |
| Okay, who sings it? | 좋아, 누가 부르는데? |