Use of Present
Simple Tense
This is one of
the most widely used tenses in English and is often misused. It is important to
know correct usage of this tense. Please read on to know correct use of this
tense.
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subject + verb/verb + (e)s (Positive Sentence)
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He plays tennis.
She studies English.
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subject + do/does not + verb (Negative Sentence)
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He doesn't
play tennis. She doesn't study English.
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(wh word) + do/does + subject + verb? (Interrogative Sentence)
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( Why) Do you study English?
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The principal uses of the present
simple are listed below.
To refer to habitual or repeated actions:
I read the Gita just about every day.
She never goes to the cinema.
He doesn't come here very often.
Do you smoke?
With the present simple, frequency adverbs are often used (e.g. usually, always, frequently, generally, sometimes, rarely, often, never, normally, every day).
I read the Gita just about every day.
She never goes to the cinema.
He doesn't come here very often.
Do you smoke?
With the present simple, frequency adverbs are often used (e.g. usually, always, frequently, generally, sometimes, rarely, often, never, normally, every day).
To refer to permanent states:
She holds a university degree in economics.
Note: use the present perfect, not the present simple when describing how long or since when something has continued:
She has taught economics since 1991. (notShe has teaches economics since
1991)
She holds a university degree in economics.
Note: use the present perfect, not the present simple when describing how long or since when something has continued:
She has taught economics since 1991. (not
To talk about factual information, such as generally accepted
truths or scientific facts:
§ Parents are generally blind to their children's faults.
§
Water boils at 100°C.
The following frequency adverbs are often used: generally, normally, usually
The following frequency adverbs are often used: generally, normally, usually
To give instructions (e.g. cooking) or directions:
First, you add the sugar to the butter; then, you add two eggs.
You go up the stairs and turn right.
First, you add the sugar to the butter; then, you add two eggs.
You go up the stairs and turn right.
To talk about what happens in books, plays and films:
In the film, a young woman travels to the countryside and soon falls in love.
In the film, a young woman travels to the countryside and soon falls in love.
To use with state
verbs when the
meaning is not temporary. These verbs often describe
a state rather than an action and therefore do not normally have continuous
tenses.
Verbs that
describe senses: see, hear, smell, taste, feel, look, sound
The coffee tastes really bitter.
Note: when something is happening now, we use can:
I can’t see anything. It’s too dark.
The coffee tastes really bitter.
Note: when something is happening now, we use can:
I can’t see anything. It’s too dark.
Verbs of
possession: have, belong, possess, own
This camera belongs to my wife.
This camera belongs to my wife.
Verbs of
perception: know, believe, understand, forget, think, remember
I think she's too young to get married.
I think she's too young to get married.
Verbs of emotion:
care, like, dislike, love, hate, mind, prefer, enjoy, adore
Do you mind if I open the window?
I adore my brother.
Do you mind if I open the window?
I adore my brother.
Verbs of description: seem, mean,
look like, contain, sound, resemble, weigh
You resemble my father.
You resemble my father.
Grammar Tip
Continuous verbs are usually active verbs (verbs such as to learn), that refer to an action. Stative verbs (such as to like), refer to a state, and are usually used in simple tenses, e.g. I like this song. Who sings it? NOT
Some verbs such as to feel have both an active and a stative meaning.
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