







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 | |
|---|---|
| Maybe we can get something on the way to the station. | 역에 가는 길에 뭐라도 좀 사먹을까? |
| Where are you? | 지금 어디야? |
| I'm okay, how are you? | 나야 잘 지내지. 너는 어때? |
| Hey, the water is boiling, do you want me to pour it into a pot? | 물이 끓고 있어. 냄비로 옮겨 부을까? |
| You know, I usually have some early morning lessons. | 난 보통 아침 일찍 수업이 있잖아. |
| What do you do? | 일은 뭐하는데요? |
| I live very close by. | 요 바로 근처에 살아요. |
| What’s their name? | 친구 이름이 뭐예요? |
| I haven't seen her, either, and I don't really want to... | 나도 본 적 없고, 보고 싶지도 않아... |
| And secondly, vets are so expensive! | 그리고 둘째로, 동물병원 너무 비싸! |
| Umm, Dick is here, dear, he is the landlord... | 음, 니기미씨가 왔는데, 집주인이셔... |
| It's very difficult to talk to you on the phone right now. | 너하고 지금 통화하는 거 되게 어려운 상황이야. |
| I hate them buzzing around my ear all night long and waking me up. | 밤 새도록 귓가에 앵앵거리면서 날 못 자도록 하는 게 딱 질색이야. |
| You look much younger than that. | 그것보다 한참 어려보이는데. |
| Your perfectly shaped mushrooms are ready! | 귀하의 완벽한 모양의 버섯이 준비되었습니다! |
| We're out tonight for Laura. | 오늘은 로라를 위해 나온 거야. |
| I hope it's not the right address! It looks awful. | 맞는 주소가 아니면 좋겠네! 여기 완전 끔찍해 보여. |
| Watch out for the 3rd step, it's not very stable. | 계단에 세번째 발판 조심해요, 고정이 잘 안돼있으니까. |
| Well, instead of chicken you can try the duck, it's yummy! | 그럼, 닭 대신에 오리를 먹어보면 되지, 맛있다니까! |
| Why is that? | 그건 왜 그런데? |