







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 | |
|---|---|
| What's your plan, Cate? | 케이트, 이제 뭐할 거야? |
| You are welcome, here is the menu, madam. | 천만에요, 부인, 메뉴판 여기 드리겠습니다. |
| Hey, what happened? Is everything okay? | 무슨 일이야? 괜찮은 거 맞아? |
| So 2017 minus 1841 equals... | 그러니까 2017 빼기 1841을 하면... |
| Sorry, I hope it doesn't ruin your childhood memories... | 미안, 어린 시절의 기억이 더럽혀지지 않았길 바라... |
| I can't call him at the moment because his phone is unreachable. | 전화를 안 받아서 지금은 통화가 안돼. |
| Sorry, I don't have much time, can I tell you the story when I'm back? | 미안해요, 내가 시간이 별로 없어서, 갔다 와서 얘기해줘도 돼요? |
| Why don't we pay 100 more each, and get a house in Mayfair? | 인당 100씩 더 내고, 메이페어에 집을 구하는 건 어때? |
| He looks like he is interested in you! | 너한테 관심있는거 같은데! |
| I really don't want to see her again! | 그 여자는 다시는 보고 싶지 않아! |
| Anyway, you only have 10 days left to leave that house. | 아무튼, 집 비우기까지 10일 남았다는 거네. |
| Sorry, they don't serve chips here... | 미안하지만, 여기선 감자튀김 안 팔아... |
| I think so, at least there is no aggression. | 그런 것 같은데, 최소한 공격 태세는 아니잖아. |
| Do we have a mortar and pestle? | 사발하고 막자 있어? |
| What about that table? It looks better. | 저 테이블은 안되나요? 더 좋아보이는데. |
| Toby! This is Cate, she is my... friend, from London. | 토비! 이쪽은 케이트야. 내... 친구야. 런던에서 온. |
| Unfortunately, she is a teenager, she is 19! | 안타깝지만, 십대가 맞아. 19살이니까! |
| Yeah, I think it's a bit early to knock on someone's door! | 네, 남의 집 문을 두들기기에는 좀 이른 시간 같은데요! |
| How is there four of us? | 어떻게 사람이 네 명이 돼? |
| Well, instead of chicken you can try the duck, it's yummy! | 그럼, 닭 대신에 오리를 먹어보면 되지, 맛있다니까! |