







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 can cook, of course, but only when I feel like it. | 할 수야 있지, 물론. 하지만 하고 싶을 때만 해. |
| If you are going to ask for money, I don't have any, either. | 돈 빌리려고 그러는 거면, 나도 없어. |
| I don't know, probably put it in the bin. | 몰라, 쓰레기통에 버리든가 했겠지. |
| Of course, 2 tomatoes are enough, I think. | 물론이지, 토마토는 2개면 충분할 것 같아. |
| Unfortunately, I don't have one! Where is yours? | 안타깝게도, 그런 거 없어! 네 건 어딨는데? |
| Thanks for offering me that, dear. | 어머, 그런 제안 해줘서 고마워. |
| I don't know really, what's yours? | 난 잘 모르겠는데, 너는? |
| Then I want to roast it, though. | 하지만 그 다음엔 구웠으면 해. |
| How long does the flight usually take? | 비행기 타고 보통 얼마쯤 걸려? |
| Is there a garlic crusher, then? | 그럼 마늘 분쇄기는 없어? |
| Are you going to say sorry for saying I am stupid then? | 그럼 나더러 멍청하다고 한 거에 대해 사과해주겠어? |
| It's got some water marks on it! | 잔에 물 자국이 있어! |
| Well, that's another problem! | 그러니까 문제란 말이지! |
| I hope it’s not serious. | 별 일 아니면 좋겠는데. |
| Hello, I'm sorry, but there is no chardonnay left, Cate. | 안녕, 케이트, 미안한데 샤르도네 남은 게 없대. |
| Do you live in this house, too? | 조셉씨도 이 건물에 사세요? |
| The rest of the house is okay, but the kitchen is a bit dirty. | 집 나머지는 괜찮은데, 부엌은 좀 더럽다. |
| In these cases, Pogo stays home alone with no food and no attention. | 그럴 때면 포고는 집에서 혼자 밥도 관심도 없이 지내는 거야. |
| There is nothing under 3,000 in Angel! | 엔젤에는 3000 밑으로 아무 데도 없어! |
| What do you think about him, Cate? | 그 사람 어떤 거 같아, 케이트? |