# Posted: 1 Jan 2007 14:17 KST - Edited by: jcs
... Re-Sideview ...
2 of the 3 present tenses correspond dirctly to English tenses (the other one comes at the end of these):
1. SIMPLE PRESENT
This is used for a habitual action(s)
I walk to school everyday. 나는 매일 학교로 걸어 가요.
I do my homwork at 9 나는 9시에 숙재를 해요.
The simple present doesn't involve adding 있다.
In Korean, the simple present is formed per the rule for 아/어 formation for informal speech.
For formal speech the form is detailed here.
So, depending on the level of politeness, the exact form of the simple present can be different.
2. PRESENT CONTINUOUS
This is used for what you are doing now.
거품목욕을 하고 있는 중
taking a bubble bath
What are you doing? 뭐하고 있어?
I am washing the dishes 나는 설거지를 하고 있어.
This is explained in the beginning conversation forum
here
You an also read KKoma's examples on his korean msn language site
3. PRESENT CONTINUOUS
This indicates a state or continuuing action like have been doing. It is similar to (2) the PRESENT CONTINUOUS but replace the 고 with the 어/아 form.
examples:
문이 열려 있었습니다 the door was in the open state or alternatively The door has been sitting there open
도둑은 내 방을 샅샅이 뒤져 놓았습니다 (from 뒤지다 to rummage through)
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