







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 think I'm going to order some duck, it's delicious. | 나는 오리 요리를 시킬까 해, 맛있거든. |
| He is a Chow Chow. | 차우차우예요. |
| Whose cat?... Do you mean my cat? | 누구 고양이 말예요?...내 고양이 말인가? |
| I wear some of them, can I check them when I get back? | 몇 켤레는 신을 수 있어. 일단 갔다 와서 봐도 돼? |
| Thank you again for giving me your turn. | 차례 양보해줘서 정말 고마워. |
| Why don't you get it then? Do you want to see upstairs or not? | 그럼 그 집으로 하지 그래요? 위층은 볼 거예요 말 거예요? |
| Do you want me to call Diego, then? | 그럼 디에고한테 전화할까? |
| You never pick Bear's poo up from the pavement. | 너 길에서 베어 똥 절대 안 줍잖아. |
| No, it doesn't look clean, do you want me to clean it? | 아니, 안 깨끗해 보여. 내가 닦을까? |
| But he hisses occasionally, is it normal? | 하지만 가끔 하악질을 하는데, 정상이야? |
| Until you just light your cigarette. | 담배에 불 붙일 때 까지는. |
| It's not much less... There is a slight difference! | 훨씬 적은 게 아니라... 미묘한 차이일 뿐이에요! |
| Yeah, I guess spring is the worst time for allergies! | 하긴, 봄철이 알레르기에 끔찍하긴 하죠! |
| I feel hungry, too. | 나도 배고파. |
| The recipe is for 6 people. | 레시피는 6인분이야. |
| I don't need to wake up very early. | 엄청 일찍 일어날 필요는 없는데. |
| I can't imagine myself being on a plane for that long! | 그렇게나 오래 비행기를 탄다니 나라면 절대 못해! |
| Hello, I'm very sorry dear, I'm a bit late. | 안녕, 정말 미안해 자기, 내가 좀 늦었지. |
| Yeah, I've got it! | 응, 찾았어! |
| That's right, we should never forget how irresponsible my housemates are. | 맞아, 내 하우스메이트들이 얼마나 무책임한지 결코 잊어서는 안 되는데. |