Present Simple

• English
• Special Education

PRESENT TENSES

Present Simple

The Present Simple tense is used to describe daily routines, scientific facts, feelings, and schedules, making it one of the most common tenses in English.

Let's take a look at the usage:

opinions: She looks great! I think she is smart.

feelings: She loves chocolate. I feel happy when I see my friends.

states of being: She is happy. 

                                                        She wants to leave. 

                                                                                                   We need more time to decide.

      

       

         scheduled events, timetables: 

       

         The bus leaves at 8:30 every morning. 

                                                          

          The plane arrives at 8:50 PM.

           instructions: Mix eggs, milk and salt in a bowl.

         

            directions: Go straight for two blocks, then cross the road.

headlines:

 daily activities and routines, repeated actions: He makes pancakes on Sundays.

 facts about and universal/ scientific facts: Water boils at 100°C.

 opinions: She looks great! I think she is smart.

  feelings:  She loves chocolate. I feel happy when I see my  friends.

 states of being: She is happy. She wants to leave. We need more time to decide. 

 scheduled events, timetables: The bus leaves at 8:30 every morning.

 instructions: Mix eggs, milk and salt in a bowl. 

 directions: Go straight for two blocks, then  cross the road.

 headlines: "Astronauts land on plain: collect rocks, plant flag."

SUMMARY: USAGE

A

B

C

D 

E

F

G

H

I

A

B

C

D 

B

H

I

G

E

E

F

E

Adverbs of frequency: HOW OFTEN?

Let's take a look at how to make sentences in Present Simple: 

To make a sentence in the Present Simple, you must choose between 2 options:

                           

A Do you want to express

    a state?  

 B Do you want to express 

     an action?

use the verb TO BE

use other verbs (except TO BE) + auxiliaries (do/does)

1. TO  BE

THE FORMULA

NOT  a verb

e.g.

+

-

?

+

-

?

TO  BE

2. OTHER VERBS (except to be)

- and ? sentences:

+ sentences:

THE FORMULA

OTHER VERBS (except to be)

e.g.

+

-

?

+

-

?

THE FORMULA

CONFUSING FORMS

+

-

?

+

-

?

Storytelling (narrative present):

Used to make stories, jokes, or anecdotes more vivid and engaging.

e.g. So, a man walks into a bar and orders a drink.

       The hero finds the treasure, but the villain appears just in time.

Summaries (books, movies, or plots):

Describes the content of books, movies, or articles.

e.g. The book explains how habits shape our behavior.

        In the movie, the protagonist overcomes her fears and saves the day.

General truths or proverbs:

Describes moral, cultural, or universal truths.

e.g. Actions speak louder than words.

       Money doesn’t grow on trees.

OTHER USES OF PRESENT SIMPLE

Sports commentary (live events):

Used for dynamic descriptions of real-time actions.

e.g. He passes the ball to Smith, who scores!

       The crowd cheers as the runner crosses the finish line!

Fixed expressions or exclamations:

Includes set phrases that are naturally in the Present Simple.

e.g. Here comes the train! There goes our chance!

Historical or dramatic present:

Used to make past events sound immediate and dramatic.

e.g.

In 1492, Columbus discovers America.

The president signs the treaty and declares peace.

OTHER USES OF PRESENT SIMPLE

Match:

facts and scientific facts

routines 

scheduled events and timetables

states of being

opinions

instructions

directions

headlines

Recall and test yourself: When do we use the Present Simple?

According to the illustration, we use the Present Simple for...

The Sun sets in the West.

1. instructions
2. states of being
3. scientific facts and general truths
4. routines

According to the illustration, we use the Present Simple for...

She cooks dinner every day.

1. feelings
2. scheduled events and timetables
3. instructions
4. regular activities, routines

According to the illustration, we use the Present Simple for...

The plane leaves at 8:30 PM.

1. scientific facts
2. directions
3. opinions
4. schedules, timetables

According to the illustration, we use the Present Simple for...

Once you arrive on Liberty Island, follow the marked

 path to the Statue of Liberty.

1. instructions
2. headlines
3. directions
4. opinions

According to the illustrations, we use the Present Simple for...

Mix eggs, milk, and flour in a bowl.

1. directions
2. instructions
3. headlines
4. opinions

According to the illustrations, we use the Present Simple for...

She washes her face and has a cup of coffee every morning.

He takes a shower every morning.

1. directions
2. routines, daily habits
3. headlines
4. instructions

According to the illustration, we use the Present Simple for...

I feel happy when I see my friends.

1. feelings
2. headlines
3. instructions
4. scheduled events

According to the illustration, we use the Present Simple for...

I think she is smart.

1. opinions
2. instructions
3. routines
4. headlines

According to the illustration, we use the Present Simple for...

1. instructions
2. directions
3. headlines
4. universal truths

She .... three dogs.

1. not haves
2. don't have
3. hasn't
4. doesn't have

What....she....in the mornings?

1. does....does
2. do....does
3. do....do
4. does....do

Children....happy.

1. is
2. are

She.... a mechanic.
She .... cars.

1. is.... fix
2. is....fixs
3. is....fixes
4. be....fixes

WELL DONE!