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How to use the Simple Present Tense

VERB TENSES
The verb "To be" (Present tense)
The verb "To be" (Past tense)
​Present Continuous / Progressive
​Simple past tense
SIMPLE PRESENT​ TENSE
REFERENCE
Simple Present Tense - Form
EXERCISES
Simple Present Tense Exercises
THE USE OF SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE
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1) For repeated or regular actions
Use simple present to talk about repeated actions, habits, hobbies, regular activities or scheduled events.
EXAMPLES
  • ​I work in a bank.
  • I get up early every day.
  • Alice takes a shower every morning.
  • She doesn’t work in a bank.
  • Does she work in a bank?
  • He takes the train to the office.
  • Kim sleeps eight hours every night during the week.
  • Steve goes to visit his parents on Sundays.
  • Helen and Martha play volleyball every afternoon.
  • We watch television regularly.
  • They don’t drink coffee at breakfast.
  • The train to London leaves every hour.
  • The train does not leave at 5 AM.
  • When does the train usually leave?
  • You only eat chicken.
  • Dr. Smith never forgets his wallet.
  • Once a year I fly back to visit my family in Paris.
  • Do you smoke?
  • Do you usually have bacon and eggs for breakfast?
  • It rains every afternoon in summer.

​2) For facts or generalizations
Use simple present to talk about things that are always / generally true or facts, although these facts are untrue. Also, simple present is used to make generalizations about people or things.
EXAMPLES
  • Water boils at 100ºC.
  • The Earth circles the Sun.
  • The Olympic Games take place every four years.
  • You come from Italy.
  • She has children.
  • It rains a lot in winter.
  • London is a large city.
  • The customer is always right.
  • Dogs are smarter than cats.
  • Rich people are greedy.
  • Two and three make five.
  • Girls don’t enjoy playing with cars the way boys do.

​3) For future facts or actions set by a timetable
Use simple present to talk about events happening in the near future, future facts or scheduled events, usually found in a timetable or a chart. Furthermore, it used to talk about fixed plan or arrangements.
EXAMPLES
  • School begins at eight tomorrow.
  • The public library opens at seven.
  • Christmas Day falls on a Monday this year.
  • Her father arrives tomorrow.
  • Our train leaves at 7 AM.
  • The train does not arrive at 10 AM.
  • My exams are in July.
  • Does the class begin at 8 or 9 this week?
  • What time does the movie start?
  • Which day does the zoo open?
  • When do we board the ship?
  • When does the class finish?
Simple present tense is also used for talking about the future after words like: ‘when’, ‘until’, ‘before’, ‘after’ and ‘as soon as’ with future constructions.
EXAMPLES
  • I will call you when I have time.
  • She won't go out until it stops raining.
  • The doctor will see you before he leaves.
  • I’m going to buy that dress after I call my mom.
  • My mom will come as soon as her babysitter arrives.

​4) To express state, feelings, possession or things that happen inside our heads.  (With Non-continuous verbs
Use simple present to express the idea that an action is happening or is not happening now. Non-continuous verbs are usually verbs that you cannot see somebody doing. These verbs are rarely used in continuous forms. Here are some of the most common non-continuous verbs:

Feeling: Dislike, fear, feel, hate, like, love, prefer, want and wish.
Senses: Appear, feel, hear, see, seem, smell, sound and taste.
Communication: Agree, astonish, deny, disagree, impress, mean, please, promise, satisfy and surprise.
Thinking: Believe, imagine, know, mean, realize, recognize, remember and understand.
Other states: Be, belong, concern, consist, contain, cost, depend, deserve, fit, include, involve, lack, matter, need, owe, own and possess.
​

Meanings

Non-Continuous verbs

Continuous verbs

Feel (have an opinion) - She feels she should get a second chance.
See (understand) - I see what you mean.
Think (have an opinion) - I think we should close the door.

Feel (feel physically) - I'm feeling bad this morning.
See (visit) - She's seeing a doctor this afternoon.
Think (use the brain) - He's thinking hard about the problem.

 

EXAMPLES
  • I am here now.
  • She is not there.
  • I like Chinese food.
  • I don't like spicy food.
  • Fabrizzio hates spaghetti.
  • I want a coffee.
  • My aunt prefers tea to coffee.
  • I don't believe you are right.
  • She does not understand me.
  • Does this umbrella belong to you?  
  • What does it mean?
  • Do you have your driver's license with you?

​Adverb placement
You can add adverbs such as: always, frequently, only, never, ever, still, just, etc. between the subject and the verb. 
EXAMPLES
  • You always make me smile.
  • Tomas frequently arrives here before me.
  • Do you only speak English?
  • I never give up.
  • Do you ever eat in the cafeteria?
  • She still loves me.
  • My life is so boring. I just watch TV every night.