







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 | |
|---|---|
| I'm sorry for not showing up at your opening. | 오픈 때 못 찾아와서 미안해. |
| What's your favourite movie? | 네가 제일 좋아하는 영화는 뭐야? |
| We call it a sixth sense! | 육감이라고 부르지! |
| Yes I did, why, isn't it normal? | 응, 그랬는데. 왜, 그럼 안돼? |
| Maybe we can get something on the way to the station. | 역에 가는 길에 뭐라도 좀 사먹을까? |
| Exactly, one of them is asking for 3,500, the other one is 3,000... | 맞아, 하나는 3500, 다른 하나는 3000을 내라고 하네... |
| Yes, the guy with the beard is Mike. | 응, 수염 기른 남자가 마이크야. |
| How old do I look? | 몇 살처럼 보여요? |
| My beard makes me look older, I think. | 아무래도 수염 때문에 더 나이가 들어보이나봐. |
| If you are going to ask for money, I don't have any, either. | 돈 빌리려고 그러는 거면, 나도 없어. |
| Do you want me to call them? | 전화는 내가 할까? |
| Because I'm sure they don't serve bugs in London! | 런던에서 벌레를 팔 리가 없잖아! |
| I guess my only choice is coming to your house! | 네 집에서 사는 거 말고는 선택지가 아무 것도 없네! |
| So I don't snore everyday... | 그럼 매일 곤다는 건 아니네... |
| I'm unleashing him now, is that okay for you? | 목줄 풀게. 그래도 괜찮겠어? |
| It's all about my lovely little cat, Pogo. | 내 사랑스러운 고양이 포고 문제인 거지. |
| It's about a web project. | 웹 프로젝트에 관한 건데. |
| No, actually, he is properly toilet trained. | 아냐, 원래는 배변 훈련이 잘 돼있어. |
| Nothing, 'cause I don't know what the woman looks like. | 나야 아무 것도 안하지, 그 할머니가 어떻게 생겼는지 모르니까. |
| That's right, I think pressure cookers are quite dangerous, too! | 맞아, 그리고 압력솥도 꽤 위험하다고 생각해! |