Present Tenses

Form

verb (+ “s” in third person singular of most verbs – see additional points below)

Meaning

1. Present simple is used to talk about permanent situations.
   • She doesn’t speak English.
   • Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
2. Present simple is used to talk about things that happen repeatedly.
   • I go to school every day.
   • Jack sometimes plays tennis.
3. Present simple is used to ask for and give instructions.
   • How do I get to the bathroom?
   • You go up the stairs and turn right.
4. Present simple is used in narrative (to tell stories).
   • At the start of the film a big spaceship comes to Earth and lands in LA. Then the aliens eat all the people.
5. Present simple is used to talk about future scheduled events.
   • The meeting starts at 10am.
   • The train leaves at 7.32pm.
6. Present simple is used in certain introductory expressions.
   • I hear you went on holiday to Spain this summer.
   • I gather you’re leaving the company.