Scribd
Upload
131 views4 pages

Present Tense Simple For Routines

The document discusses the uses of the present simple tense in English. It is used to describe present habits, routines, and facts that are generally true. The present simple can also refer to the future in cases of timetables, scheduled events, and predictions based on past evidence. It is commonly used with adverbs of frequency and state verbs. The tense expresses permanent situations, narration, instructions, and commentaries describing ongoing events.

Uploaded by

Anonymous OQmcDMg
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
131 views4 pages

Present Tense Simple For Routines

The document discusses the uses of the present simple tense in English. It is used to describe present habits, routines, and facts that are generally true. The present simple can also refer to the future in cases of timetables, scheduled events, and predictions based on past evidence. It is commonly used with adverbs of frequency and state verbs. The tense expresses permanent situations, narration, instructions, and commentaries describing ongoing events.

Uploaded by

Anonymous OQmcDMg
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

The Present Simple is the most basic tense in the English language.

It is an
interesting tense because it can be used to express the future. Generally, though,
we use it to describe the present activities or to talk about routines or habits.

Use

Facts, generalizations and universal truths

Habits and routines

Permanent situations

Events that are certain to happen

Arrangements that we can't change (e.g. timetables, official meetings)

State verbs (e.g. be, have, suppose, know)

Narrations, instructions or commentaries

Note

Apart from the above uses, this tense is also used in:

Zero Conditional ("If it doesn't rains, I go play football.")

First Conditional ("We won't get our pocket money, if we don't pass this exam.")

In sentences after when, before, till, after, as soon as ("Before you leave, please
take the keys.")

Use 1: Facts, Generalizations and Univeral Truths

We use the Present Simple to talk about universal truths (for example, laws of
nature) or things we believe are, or are not, true. It's also used to generalize about
something or somebody.

Water boils at 100 degrees Celcius. Universal Truth

It is a big house. Fact

The Earth goes around the Sun. Universal Truth, Fact

Dogs are better than cats. Generalization

Berlin is the capital city of Germany. Fact

The Elephant doesn't fly. Fact


London is the capital city of France. Fact (Remember: the sentence does not have to
be true).

Use 2: Habits and Routines

We also use this tense to describe actions that happen frequently. For example:
habits, routines, tendencies.

We leave for work at 7:30 AM every morning. Routine

My husband watches the TV in the evening. Habit, Routine

Susan often meets with her friends after school. Habit, Routine

They usually play football on Sunday. Habit, Routine

Mark rarely visits his sick grandmother. Tendency

Pinocchio usually tells lies. Tendency

Adverbs of Frequency

The Present Simple is often used with the frequency adverbs:

always

frequently/often

usually

seldom/rarely

nowadays

never

every week/year

sometimes/occasionally

from time to time

every now and then

A few examples how to use them in sentences:

I always go to church on Sundays.

I never eat anything after 10 PM.


Use 3: Permanent Situations

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

I live in Boston

He works as a fireman.

Margaret drives a Volkswagen.

Jerry doesn't teach maths at highschool.

Use 4: Events Certain to Happen

Use the Present Simple when an event is certain to happen in the future.

My grandmother turns 100 this July.

Winter starts on December 21.

Use 5: State Verbs

You should use the Present Simple with state verbs.

I like swimming.

We know this man.

Note

Some of the verbs used in the simple form can also appear in the continuous form.
This is typically when they have an active meaning or emphasize change.

I'm thinking of moving to San Francisco.

I'm loving your new hairdo!

Use 6: Future Arrangements

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

The meeting starts at 4 PM.

The train leaves at the noon.

When does the plane take off?


Jerry doesn't teach maths at high school.

Use 7: Narrations, Instructions or commentaries

The Present Simple is also used in narrations (e.g. to tell a story or a joke),
instructions (e.g. cooking) or commentaries (especially sport commentaries).

"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 [...]"

You might also like