







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 | |
|---|---|
| How long does it usually take? | 보통 얼마쯤 걸리는데? |
| Oh really? That's not good. | 아 정말? 그건 별론데. |
| Erm, I can't work it out, I guess it's more than 150 years old. | 엄, 계산은 안되지만, 150년이 넘는 것 같은데. |
| No, they live in Australia. | 아니, 호주에 살아. |
| Do you remember me? | 나 기억해? |
| Do they weigh them here or at the checkout? | 여기서 저울 달면 돼, 아니면 계산대로 가야 해? |
| I can't call him at the moment because his phone is unreachable. | 전화를 안 받아서 지금은 통화가 안돼. |
| You don't know the story behind it. | 네가 비하인드 스토리를 몰라서 그래. |
| It's always the same. | 꼭 이런 식이야. |
| I guess you need to change your cooking plan now! | 네 요리 계획이 바뀌어버린 것 같네! |
| I'm sure it's where it always is. | 늘 두던 자리에 있을 텐데. |
| Do you live in this house, too? | 조셉씨도 이 건물에 사세요? |
| Do you really think it looks like we have a cleaner? | 정말 청소부가 있는 것처럼 보여? |
| No, actually, he is properly toilet trained. | 아냐, 원래는 배변 훈련이 잘 돼있어. |
| Oh god, it's the second thing I hate doing in the kitchen! | 아 저런, 그건 내가 두번째로 싫어하는 부엌일인데! |
| And he looks about 3 years old now. | 그런데 고양이가 지금 딱 세 살쯤 돼보이니까. |
| Okay, how long is it, do you know? | 좋아, 얼마나 긴지 혹시 알아? |
| Anyway, I need to go to the loo as well... | 글구, 화장실도 좀 써야 되겠고... |
| Excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom. | 미안하지만, 난 화장실을 좀 써야겠어요. |
| Are you the only smoker in the house? | 이 건물에 담배 피우는 사람 너 밖에 없어? |