Simple Present

The verb in its basic form

he/she/it + (verb)-s

Regular action or habit

I eat bread for breakfast everyday.

Facts or generalisations

Bears like honey.

A current situation - (Non-Continuous Verbs)

I am here now.

1. Regular action or habit

We use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a habit, a hobby or a daily event

  • I eat bread for breakfast everyday.
  • She plays the piano.
  • She does not play football.
  • I do not play football.

2. Facts or generalisations

The Simple Present can also indicate the speaker believes that a fact was true before, is true now, and will be true in the future. It is not important if the speaker is correct about the fact. It can also be used to make generalisations about people or things.

  • Bears like honey.
  • Paris lies in France.
  • London is a small town.(It is not important that this fact is not true.)

3. A current situation - (Non-Continuous Verbs)

Sometimes speakers use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is happening or is not happening now. This can only be done with Non-continuous verbs and some Mixed verbs.

  • I am here now.
  • She is not here now.
  • He has a new flat.

4. Active / Passive voice

  • Once a week, Paul cleans his room. Active
  • Once a week, the room is cleaned by Paul. Passive
 

Tests: