







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 | |
|---|---|
| You are absolutely right! | 지당하신 말씀! |
| I see them around a lot where I work, actually. | 내가 일하는 곳에도 되게 많아. |
| I like the seafood restaurants there. | 거기 해물 레스토랑 좋더라. |
| Is it possible not to be able to find return tickets? | 돌아가는 티켓이 없는 경우도 있나? |
| Hmm, I like pop, rock, funk. | 음, 난 팝이나 락, 펑크가 좋아. |
| There are some vending machines in the station. | 역에 자판기가 좀 있을 텐데. |
| Oh look at this big boy, he gets bigger everytime I see him! | 이야, 이 덩치있는 녀석, 볼 때마다 쑥쑥 커져 있네! |
| Oh, sorry! You don't like cleaning things, I can do it. | 아, 미안! 너 뭘 씻고 하는 거 싫어하지, 내가 할게. |
| Hello, I'm sorry I'm a bit late. | 안녕, 좀 늦었지, 미안해. |
| How much garlic do you want? | 마늘은 얼마나 있으면 되겠어? |
| Hmm... actually, we have to boil it. | 음... 실은, 삶아야 돼. |
| Isn't it faster taking the tube? | 지하철이 더 빠르지 않아? |
| Oh sorry dear, my husband has some difficulties hearing... | 아유, 미안해라, 우리 남편이 귀가 안 좋아서요... |
| Do we have any paper towels? | 우리 종이타월 있어? |
| But Bear has got hip dysplasia. | 근데 베어한테 고관절 문제가 있거든. |
| What genre do you listen to? | 너는 어떤 장르 들어? |
| Are you going to say sorry for saying I am stupid then? | 그럼 나더러 멍청하다고 한 거에 대해 사과해주겠어? |
| I don't have time to cook everyday. | 매일 요리할 시간이 없어. |
| I've only got Saturday left before I have to move on Sunday. | 일요일에 이사 가기 전에 토요일 하루 밖에 안 남았어. |
| I don't think so, trains leave about every 20 minutes. | 괜찮을걸. 기차가 20분마다 오니까. |