







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 | |
|---|---|
| Hey, which is the closest station to China Town? | 있지, 차이나타운에 제일 가까운 역이 어디야? |
| Depends on where you look. | 어디를 알아보느냐에 달려있지. |
| Because you are in it. | 네가 있잖아. |
| Oh look at this big boy, he gets bigger everytime I see him! | 이야, 이 덩치있는 녀석, 볼 때마다 쑥쑥 커져 있네! |
| As I'm a smoker, I prefer sitting outside. | 나는 흡연자라서 바깥을 선호하긴 해. |
| Upstairs, there is Diego and a British couple next to him. | 윗층에는 디에고랑 그 옆에 영국인 커플이 살아. |
| Why? I never put a question mark when I search something! | 그걸 왜? 뭐 검색할 때 물음표 찍은 적 한번도 없어! |
| Hello, I'm sorry I'm a bit late. | 안녕, 좀 늦었지, 미안해. |
| Not long, my lessons start at 12:30. | 늦게까지는 아니고, 수업이 12:30에 시작하거든. |
| Okay, I don't like cooking, but I like tasting food. | 좋아, 난 요리는 안 좋아하지만, 음식 맛 보는 건 좋아하니까. |
| Did you check carefully, don't we have any at all? | 정말로 하나도 없는지 확실히 봤어? |
| Are you serious? | 진심? |
| But maybe they are splitting up, I don't know yet. | 하지만 헤어지는 걸 수는 있지. 나도 아직 모르겠어. |
| I mostly cook meat, fish and chicken dishes. | 주로 고기, 생선이나 닭고기 요리를 많이 하지. |
| Anyway, the flight situation is a bit complicated. | 아무튼, 비행 상황은 좀 복잡해. |
| Yes, I have got two sisters. | 우리집은 딸만 셋이야. |
| Sh*t! I can't believe it's already 10:30! | 젠장! 벌써 10시 반이라니 말도 안돼! |
| Okay, how long is it, do you know? | 좋아, 얼마나 긴지 혹시 알아? |
| Do you want me to slice the mushrooms for you? | 버섯 썰어 줄까? |
| Hello mate, where are you? | 안녕 친구, 어디야? |