The Simple Present Tense

The simple present tense

Form of the simple present tense

We add -s or -es to the base form of the verb in the third person singular. I                     work You               work He                 works in an office   She                works                         It                    works We                 work You                work They               work

                       

Uses of the simple present tense

a)         Permanent truths

            We use the simple present for statements that are always true:

            Examples: Gases expand when heated.

                               The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

b)         ‘The present period’

            We use the simple present to refer to events, actions or situations which are true in the

present period of time and which, for all we know, may continue indefinitely. What we are saying, in effect, is ‘this is the situation as it stands at present’:

            Examples: Adam lives in Klang.

                               My sister wears glasses. 

c)         Habitual actions                                

The simple present can be used with or without an adverb of time to describe habitual

actions, things that happen repeatedly:

Examples:  I get up at 5am.

                   Tan smokes a lot.

We can be more precise about habitual actions by using the simple present with adverbs of indefinite frequency (always, never, etc) or with adverbial phrases such as every day:

Examples: I sometimes stay up till midnight.

                  She visits her parents every day.

We commonly use the simple present to ask and answer questions which begin with How often?:

Example: How often do you go to the dentist? – I go every six months.

Questions relating to habit can be asked with ever and answered with e.g. never and sometimes not...ever:

Example: Do you ever eat meat? – No, I never eat meat.

d)         Future reference           

This use is often related to timetables and programmes or to events in the calendar:

Examples:

The exhibition opens on January 1^st and closes on January 31^st.

The concert begins at 7.30 and ends at 9.30.

We leave tomorrow at 11.15am and arrive at 4.00pm.

They leave for Japan next week.

e) Observations and declarations
    We commonly use the simple present with stative and other verbs to make observations                   and declarations in the course of conversation.
    Examples:
    I hope/ assume/ suppose/ promise everything will be alright.
    I bet you were nervous just before your driving test.  
    I love you. I hate him.