When do we use the present simple tense in English?
We use the present simple for:
1. Facts and things that are generally true
For example:
- Water boils at 100°C.
- All animals need water.
- Doctors work with sick people.
- Many students are lazy.
- Nothing is certain except death and taxes.
- It doesn’t rain much here in summer.
- What do dolphins eat?
2. Permanent or long-term situations
For example:
- I live in Melbourne.
- He works at a post office.
- She is a lawyer.
- We don’t have children.
- Are you married?
- Do they speak Spanish?
3. Habits or things that happen regularly
Note: We often use adverbs of frequency (like “always”, “usually”, “often”, “sometimes”, “rarely”, “never”, etc.) in these types of sentences.
For example:
- Frank is always late.
- They often walk to work.
- I shower in the morning.
- Frank never showers.
- I don’t go to the gym every day.
- When does she usually call you?
4. Stative verbs
Stative verbs, also known as state verbs, are verbs that we use to express states or conditions rather than actions. We usually use them for emotions, senses, feelings, preferences, opinions, possessions and measurements. Stative verbs are usually used in simple tenses (as opposed to continuous tenses).
For example:
- I love Thai food.
- You seem happy.
- Frank hates studying.
- The bag weighs 10 kg.
- We don’t understand the question.
- Do they believe in ghosts?
- Who owns that house?
5. Narration (stories and jokes) and commentary
Note: We also use other tenses for narration and commentary, such as the present continuous.
For example:
- The story takes place in Los Angeles.
- The dog gets lost, has adventures and then returns home at the end of the movie.
- A man walks into a bar and sits down.
- What happens at the end of the book?
- Johnson takes the ball and scores!
6. Instructions and procedures
Note: We also often use the imperative for instructions and procedures.
For example:
- You press the button and then you wait until the light turns green.
- You pour the milk in and stir gently.
7. Rules and laws
For example:
- The game finishes after 60 minutes.
- Smoking is not allowed in public buildings.
8. Newspaper headlines
For example:
- President visits Japan
- Company opens new factory
9. Scientific and academic writing to describe theories, diagrams and processes
For example:
- The study explains some of the causes of climate change.
- This diagram shows the results.
10. The zero conditional
For example:
- If you heat ice, it melts.
- Plants die if you don’t water them.
11. The first conditional
For example:
- If Ethel studies hard, she’ll pass the exam.
- You’ll miss the train if you don’t hurry.
We sometimes use the present simple to talk about the future. That is the case in the following situations:
12. Timetables and schedules
Note: This is usually when a timetable or schedule is set by an organisation (these are not personal plans). Here we use the present simple most of the time, but occasionally people use “will” or the present continuous, especially in spoken language.
For example:
- Tomorrow I start work at ten.
- The shop opens at 8:00 am on Monday.
- That bus leaves at 12:15.
- What time do you finish today?
- When does his flight arrive?
- What day does the conference end?
13. After conjunctions like “when”, “after”, “before”, “until” and “as soon as” in sentences about the future
Note: We do not use “will + verb” here. It is sometimes possible to use the present perfect instead of the present simple in these types of sentences.
For example:
- She’ll see the email when she arrives. (not when she will arrive)
- After you do your homework, you can play video games. (not after you will do)
- I’ll wash up before I go. (not before I will go)
- Let’s wait until they leave. (not until they will leave)
- Please call me as soon as you get home. (not as soon as you will get)