







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 | |
|---|---|
| What do you think about him, Cate? | 그 사람 어떤 거 같아, 케이트? |
| Yes, the guy with the beard is Mike. | 응, 수염 기른 남자가 마이크야. |
| Excuse me ma'am, here is an undamaged packet of rice for you. | 실례하겠습니다, 여기 손상되지 않은 봉투의 쌀을 드릴게요. |
| Maybe she really is allergic to cats, we don't know that. | 정말 고양이한테 알레르기가 있어서 그럴 수도 있지, 그건 모르는 거야. |
| You need to press the button down and turn it right. | 버튼을 아래로 누르고 오른쪽으로 돌려야해. |
| Okay, maybe it's better for you to have some rest. | 그래, 넌 좀 쉬는 게 나을 수도 있겠어. |
| I don't think it's a suitable movie for kids, dear. | 애들 보는 영화는 아닌 것 같아, 자기. |
| You are very funny mate. | 아주 재치가 넘치시네요, 이 친구. |
| Hello Mike, not much, how are you? | 안녕 마이크, 별 건 아니고, 어떻게 지내? |
| I'm a web designer. | 나는 웹 디자이너야. |
| So, it's obvious you have no clue how much renting a house costs. | 그러니까, 집 구하려면 얼마나 돈을 내야 하는지 네가 전혀 감이 없다는 게 드러났네. |
| Can your mum handle the situation by herself? | 어머니께서 혼자 이겨내실 수 있으셔? |
| But maybe they are splitting up, I don't know yet. | 하지만 헤어지는 걸 수는 있지. 나도 아직 모르겠어. |
| Do we have a mortar and pestle? | 사발하고 막자 있어? |
| I think I did, too, but I've got a really bad headache! | 나도 그런 것 같은데, 지금 머리가 엄청 아프다! |
| That's not nice, Mike! | 마이크, 그러면 안되지! |
| She is doing well, we have 3 months left to go. | 다 괜찮아, 이제 3개월 남았지. |
| I'm not really in the mood to join them. | 걔네랑 같이갈 기분은 아니야. |
| Dear, who is it? | 자기야, 누구야? |
| I don't think it's hay fever! I believe it's from the cat... | 꽃가루 알레르기는 아닌 것 같아요! 고양이 때문이라고 보는데... |