







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 | |
|---|---|
| Until you just light your cigarette. | 담배에 불 붙일 때 까지는. |
| I hope it’s not serious. | 별 일 아니면 좋겠는데. |
| Except mosquitoes because they ruin my sleep. | 모기는 빼고. 잠자는 시간을 망쳐놓으니까. |
| I'm so sorry, but we need to cancel our meeting today. | 정말 미안한데, 오늘 회의 취소해야 할 것 같아. |
| To me, wasting it is weirder! | 내 생각에는 기껏 생긴 걸 버리는 게 더 이상해! |
| I'm a bit paranoid about it. | 약간 편집증이 생겨버렸지 뭐야. |
| Sorry, the line is very bad! | 미안, 통화연결이 안 좋아! |
| Do we have to do that every time we need to open the door? | 문을 열 때마다 방금처럼 해야 하는 거예요? |
| Why is that? | 그건 왜 그런데? |
| Mike, it is a continent! | 마이크, '처럼'이 아니라 대륙 맞아! |
| Is it possible not to be able to find return tickets? | 돌아가는 티켓이 없는 경우도 있나? |
| Hey, the water is boiling, do you want me to pour it into a pot? | 물이 끓고 있어. 냄비로 옮겨 부을까? |
| No, it's not okay, I'm screwed now! | 아니, 안 괜찮아. 나 완전히 엿됐어! |
| I guess time doesn't pass for you while I'm away. | 내가 곁에 없으면 자기 시간은 안 흘러가나 보다. |
| Alright, I think I know who he is... | 아하, 알긴 아는데... |
| Good thanks, I'm fine, too. | 다행이네. 나도 잘 지내. |
| A one year course? What kind of course is it? | 1년짜리 수업이라고? 무슨 수업이길래 그래? |
| A flat is not a good idea for Bear, it doesn't have a garden. | 베어한테 아파트는 좋은 생각이 아냐, 안뜰이 없잖아. |
| That would be great! Do you think it's possible? | 그럼 최고지! 근데 가능할까? |
| As far as I know, Chows are not good with other animals. | 그런데 차우차우는 다른 동물들하고 잘 못 어울린다고 알고 있는데. |