







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 an English teacher. | 영어 선생님이에요. |
| I think I'm going to order some duck, it's delicious. | 나는 오리 요리를 시킬까 해, 맛있거든. |
| As I'm a smoker, I prefer sitting outside. | 나는 흡연자라서 바깥을 선호하긴 해. |
| It's usually at the top right of your screen. | 보통 화면 우측 상단에 있어요. |
| But I don't know him well. | 잘 아는 사이는 아니네. |
| Is there anything else you want me to do? | 또 내가 했으면 하는 거 있어? |
| Do you like train rides, too? | 기차 타는 것도 좋아해? |
| Yeah, I've got it! | 응, 찾았어! |
| Where are you? | 지금 어디야? |
| Ah, I can't eat the breast, it's too dry for me! | 아, 나 가슴살은 못 먹어. 너무 퍽퍽해! |
| Yeah, it's open here already... | 그럼, 벌써 여기 열어뒀는걸... |
| Kisses to you, too, I'll call you when I get there! | 자기한테도 뽀뽀. 도착하면 전화할게! |
| What kind of trick is that? | 잔꾀라니 무슨 소리야? |
| Unfortunately, I don't have one! Where is yours? | 안타깝게도, 그런 거 없어! 네 건 어딨는데? |
| Mike, 250 degrees is the highest! | 마이크, 250도가 최고 온도야! |
| I don't want you to spend a fortune. | 네가 돈을 잔뜩 쓰는 건 원하지 않아. |
| Well, instead of chicken you can try the duck, it's yummy! | 그럼, 닭 대신에 오리를 먹어보면 되지, 맛있다니까! |
| Depends on where you look. | 어디를 알아보느냐에 달려있지. |
| That's good, seeing three houses in one day is not bad. | 그건 괜찮은 거지, 하루에 집 세 군데를 봤으면 나쁘지 않아. |
| And this is my girlfriend, Cate. | 이쪽은 제 여자친구, 케이트입니다. |