WHEN SHOULD I USE THE PRESENT SIMPLE TENSE?
Present Uses
1: We use the present simple
when something is generally or always true.
●
People need
food.
●
It snows in winter here.
●
Two and two make four.
2: Similarly, we need to use this tense for a
situation that we think is more or less permanent. (See the present continuous
for temporary situations.)
●
Where do you
live?
●
She works in a bank.
●
I don't like
mushrooms.
3: The next use is for habits or things that we
do regularly. We often use adverbs of frequency (such as 'often', 'always' and
'sometimes') in this case, as well as expressions like 'every Sunday' or 'twice
a month'.
●
Do you smoke?
●
I play tennis every Tuesday.
●
I don't travel very often.
4: We can also use the present simple for short
actions that are happening now. The actions are so short that they are finished
almost as soon as you've said the sentence. This is often used with sports
commentary.
●
He takes the ball, he runs down the wing, and
he scores!
Future Uses
5: We use the present simple to talk about the future
when we are discussing a timetable or a fixed plan. Usually, the timetable is
fixed by an organisation, not by us.
●
School begins at nine tomorrow.
●
What time does the film start?
●
The plane doesn't arrive at seven. It arrives
at seven thirty.
6: We also use the present simple to talk about the
future after words like ' 'when', 'until', 'after', 'before' and 'as soon as'.
These are sometimes called subordinate clauses of time.
●
I will call you when I have time. (Not 'will have'.)
●
I won't go out until it stops raining.
●
I'm going to make dinner after I watch the news.
Conditional Uses
7: We use the
present simple in the first and the zero conditionals.
●
If it rains, we won't come.
●
If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.
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➤➤Exercise 1. Present Simple Form: ‘be’ and other verbs
Make the present simple,
positive, negative or question:
1.
It (not
/ be) cold today.
2.
We (be)
from Portugal.
3.
_ (we / make) too much noise at night?
4.
Where (Harry
/ study)?
5. I (be) in a café now.
_
(she / play) tennis every week?
6. They
(go) to the cinema every Wednesday.
7. _ (she / be) a singer?
8. You (find) the weather here cold.
9. _ (they / be) on the bus?
10. Lucy
(ride) her bicycle to work.
11. Why (he / be) in France?
12. I (not / play) the piano often.
13. (it / be) foggy today?
14. We (not / be)
late.
15. They
(not / like) animals.
16. Where
(you / be)?
17. He (not / be) an accountant.
18. (the dog / eat) chicken?
19. She (be) my
sister.
