The present simple tense

Present simple tense is used all the time in English. There are many other present tenses in English but the present simple plays an important part.

It is used to describe habits, general truths, unchanging situations and fixed arrangements and also a very simple tense to form when you create a sentence.

I run, you run, we run, they run

The above example works for first & second person singular or plural. When we are talking about a third person (singular), then the form of the verb changes. We add an -s to the end of the verb.

He runs, she runs, the cat runs.

The present simple tense form:

The present simple is a verb tense that uses the base form of the verb.

Statement: You run in the morning.
Question: Do you run in the morning?
Negative: You do not run in the morning.

There are changes when you use the present simple for the third person singular.

Statement: She runs in the morning.
Question: Does she run in the morning?
Negative: She does not run in the morning.

The present simple uses:

Repeated Actions

The repeated actions with regards to the present simple is used to habits or routines. These are actions that are repeated or usual activities. It can be a scheduled event, a daily event, a hobby, or a habit and can also be used for the opposite form when it refers to something that a person does not usually do or often forgets.

Present Simple – Repeated Actions Examples:

I run in the morning
She does not eat breakfast.
Does he play football?
The train leaves at 7 AM.
The train does not leave at 8 AM.
When does the bus usually leave?
He never forgets his homework.
She always forgets her homework.

Facts or Generalizations

Are used when someone expresses something that they believe to have been true before, now and will remain true in the future. It does not matter if the person expressing is correct about the fact. It can often be used to make generalizations about things or people.

Present Simple – Facts or Generalization Examples:

Mice like cheese.
Cows do not drink milk.
Do dogs like milk?
London is in the UK.
London is not in UAE.
Clothing is made of fabric.
Clothing is not made of wood.

Scheduled Events in the Near Future

We often use the present simple tense when we speak or read about something that is scheduled for the near future and when talking about public transport, but also works for other events that are scheduled.

Present Simple – Scheduled Events in the Near Future Examples:

The plane leaves at 8 PM tonight.
The train does not arrive at 12 PM, it arrives at 1 PM.
The part starts at 7 o’ clock.
When does the show begin tomorrow?
When do we board the ferry?

Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)

The present simple can also be used to express something that is either happening or not happening now. This is usually done with certain mixed verbs or non-continuous verbs.

Present Simple – Now Examples:

He is here now.
They are not here now.
She needs help right now.
She does not need help right now.
Do you have your license with you?
She has her license in her hand.

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