PRESENT SIMPLE – How can I completely understand this tense?

The present simple is used in several different ways.

Let’s take a look in 3 steps:

1. habits
2. things that never change (states / feelings)
3. a future timetabled event

The present simple uses the infinitive. The infinitive is verb 1.

• verb 1 eat ←
• verb 2 ate
• verb 3 eaten

 

• verb 1 dance ←
• verb 2 danced
• verb 3 danced

Remember, to change the infinitive for the 3rd person singular:

I eat
You eat
He/She/It eats ←
We eat
They eat

I have
You have
He/She/It has ←
We have
They have

 

However! If you are forming a negative or question, use do/does (not) + infinitive.

Positive: I speak French fluently.
Negative: I do not speak French fluently. I don’t speak French fluently.
Negative 3rd person: She does not speak French fluently. She doesn’t speak French fluently.

She does not speaks French fluently.

Question: Do you speak French fluently?
Question 3rd person: Does Jason speak French fluently?

Does Jason speaks French fluently?

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#1 habits

Use the present simple for things you normally do or things that normally happen.

 

 

I wake up at 8 AM every morning.
(I normally do this.)

Whenever I go to a coffee shop, I order a cappuccino.
(I normally do this.)

I need to wear a tie to work.
(This is mandatory every day.)

My family and I go to Poland every summer.
(We normally do this.)

Most families in England eat dinner around 6 PM.
(People normally do this.)

 

#2 things that never change

Use the present simple for situations that never change – states / feelings

 

 

I am American.
(This doesn’t change.)

The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
(This doesn’t change.)

The capital of Brazil is Brasilia.
(This doesn’t change.)

*Of course things can always change. Maybe in the future you change your nationality, or a country changes its capital city. But generally, these things will always remain the same.

 

I really want a pet dog.
(This is a feeling.)

People think it’s strange, but I actually love the rain.
(This is a feeling.)

Don’t you hate it when people speak on their mobile phones super loudly?
(This is a feeling.)

 

COMMON MISTAKES

Don’t use the present simple for temporary actions:

I will be there in 5 minutes. I walk there now.

☑ I will be there in 5 minutes. I am walking there now.

However! Stative verbs are normally used in the present simple, even if they are temporary:

I am needing a coffee right now.

☑ I need a coffee right now.

What are STATIVE VERBS?

 

#3 a future timetabled event

Use the present simple for future events that have a specific time. You cannot change this time.

 

 

My flights leaves at 7 AM tomorrow.
(This is a timetabled event. I cannot change this time.) 

When does the football match start?
(This is a timetabled event. I cannot change this time.) 

I start university in September.
(This is a timetabled event. I cannot change this time.) 

 

If you are speaking about a future arrangement (something that YOU organise) use the present continuous.

☑ I‘m meeting Jane tonight at 6 PM.

I meet Jane tonight at 6 PM.

 

How can I use the PRESENT CONTINUOUS correctly?

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If you’d like examples, exercises and explanations for all 12 tenses in English, you can purchase my 61-page info pack. CLICK the image below. 

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See you next time! Arnel