Present simple tense



present simple tense



The Present Simple is the most basic and common tense in the English language. It is also an interesting tense because it can express both the present and the future.

            

Structure  =   Suject + V1



Use

1.Facts and generalization

2.Habits and routines

3.Permanent situations

4.State verbs (e.g. be, have, think, know)

5.Fixed / official arrangement that we can't change

6.Narrations (e.g. telling a story or a joke)

USE 1: Facts and Generalizations

The first and most important use of the Present Simple is to talk about things we believe are (or are not) true. It's also used to generalize about somebody or something.

                             Examples:   It is a big house.

·                                                        He talks a lot.

·                                                        Berlin is the capital city of Germany.

·                                                        Buenos Aires is a large city.

·                                                       The Elephant doesn't fly.

·                                                        Dogs don't smoke cigarettes.

·                                                        A dog is not large than an elephant

USE 2: Habits and Routines

We also use this tense to indicate that an activity is a habit or a routine.

                             Examples:    We leave for work at 7.30 every morning.

·                                                          Susan often meets with her friends after school.

·                                                          They usually play football on Sunday.

·                                                           Mark rarely visits his sick grandmother.

The Present Simple tense is often used with the frequency adverbs:

Adverbs of frequency

Adverbs of frequency say how often an activity happens. We can use one word or a phrase.

     Examples:   always , often ,   never ,   frequently/often , usually ,   seldom/rarely nowadays ,  every week/year ,   sometimes/occasionally ,   from time to time

Here are a few examples of how to use them in sentences:

·                                   I always go to church on Sundays.

·                                   I never eat anything after 10 p.m.

USE 3: Pernament Situations

Use the Present Simple to talk about situations in life that last a relatively long time.
                      Examples:

·                                     I live in Boston

·                                    He works as a fireman.

·                                    Margaret drives a Porshe.

                  Jerry doesn't teach maths at highschool.

USE 4: State Verbs

You should use the Present Simple with state verbs.

        Examples:     I like swimming.

·                                                We know this man.

·                                                Margaret drives a Porshe.

·                                               Jerry doesn't teach maths at highschool.

USE 5: Fixed / Official arrangements

Use the Present Simple to talk about events that we can't change (for example, an official meeting or a train departure).

                  Examples:   The meeting starts at 4 pm.

·                                              The train leaves at the noon.

·                                              When does the plane take off?

·                                              Jerry doesn't teach maths at highschool.

USE 6: Narrations

The Present Simple is also used in narrations (e.g. to tell a story or a joke).
Examples:     A man goes to visit a friend and is amazed to find him playing chess with his dog. He watches the game in astonishment for a while