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Present simple tense:
Present simple tense is a verb tense form that expresses events or actions that happen continually in the present, like every day or week or month; it is also used to express events that happen usually/often and for factual information.
Example:
1. I want to sleep.
2. She does not like rice.
3. They do not wish to dance.
4. The sun rises in the east.
5. The flight arrives at 4 am tomorrow.
Simple Present - for events happening in the present/general truths/habits/timetabled events.
Uses of present simple tense:
No. | Use | Example |
1 | Express habituation or Regular Habits | I play tennis every weekend. |
2 | General truths - facts that exist at all times | The sun rises in the east. |
3 | Exclamatory sentences (beginning with here or there) | There she goes! Here it is! |
4 | Expressing actions happening now. Commentary (happening currently) | "The bear comes near the child, but the child has no clue!" "Ashwin bowls a beautiful ball, but it seems to have gone for a four!" |
5 | Future events / timetabled events | The match starts at 4 pm sharp. The bus leaves daily at 8 am. |
6 | Quotes / proverbs | All is well that ends well. A stitch in time saves nine. |
7 | Substitute simple future tense | If it rains, we will get wet. As soon as he arrives, I'll call you. |
Important!
It is good to note the difference between sentences that express habitual actions (events happening every day) and sentences that express current actions (events happening at the moment).
Present progressive/continuous tense:
The present progressive/continuous tense expresses an action or an event that is happening - currently, frequently or may continue to happen in the future.
Example:
Happening currently — She is writing her homework.
Happening frequently — She is always coming late for class.
May continue to happen in future — She is doing her masters degree.
Present Progressive - for events in the present, or planned events to happen in the future.
Uses of present continuous tense:
No. | Uses | Examples |
1 | Action going on at the time of speaking | She is dancing to the new song. |
2 | A temporary event, not necessarily happening now. | I'm learning French from my neighbour daily. |
3 | Event planned earlier, to happen in the future. | I'm going to a movie tonight. |
Examples of simple present from the lesson "Fire: Friend and Foe":
- We use it to cook our food.
- We spend more trying to find new ways of preventing fires.
- To burn paper or a piece of wood, we heat it before it catches fire.
- We generally do it with a lighted match.
- Every fuel has a particular temperature at which it burns.
- It only means that fire is very useful as long as it is kept under control.
- If fire gets out of control it can be very dangerous.
- It can be a dangerous enemy once it gets out of control.
- Oxygen comes from the air.
- They possess many skills.
- The oxygen in the air combines with carbon and hydrogen in a fuel.
- A chemical reaction takes place.
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