Present Simple Tense

This article is going to look at how we use the present simple tense in English, list lots of examples to help you understand how it is used and also give you some ideas to help you practice this tense.We use the present simple tense when we talk about things in general, especially when things happen repeatedly like habits and daily routines.

• I wake up at 6am every morning.
• She generally works on the weekends as well as during the week.
• Mike always forgets to call me.
• Do you go out on Saturday nights?
• The shop closes early on Sundays.

The present simple is also used to talk about facts:

• People need food and water to survive.
• The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
• Sydney isn’t in America, it is in Australia.
• It is very cold in Canada in the winter.

When we are talking about things that are more or less permanent we use the present simple. We use the present continuous when we want to let the speaker know if it situation is temporary. For example, if you are doing a study abroad year, you will generally say, “I’m living in Madrid at the moment.” Whereas if you have moved to a new place and consider it to be your home, then you will say, “I live in Barcelona.” Here are some more examples:

• I work at a bank downtown.
• She is married to Paul.
• I hate this television show.
• I love hot soup on a cold day.

In addition we also use the present simple tense to talk about the future. This is when something is on a schedule or a timetable, things like public transport, English lessons and cinemas.

• What time does the film start?
• The train arrives early in the morning tomorrow.
• The lesson begins soon.

A good way to practice the present simple tense is to talk about your daily routine. Write what you normally do in a day and at what time. Another way is to talk about what you like and don’t like. If you can, try and do this verbally by talking with your teacher or language exchange partner.