How do we use the
Present Simple Tense?
We use the present simple tense when:
- the action is general
- the action happens all the time, or habitually, in the past, present
and future
- the action is not only happening now
- the statement is always true
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John drives a taxi.
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past
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Present
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Future
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It is John's job to
drive a taxi. He does it every day. Past, present and future.
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Look at these examples:
- I live in New York.
- The Moon goes round the Earth.
- John drives a taxi.
- He does not drive a bus.
- We meet every Thursday.
- We do not work at night.
- Do you play football?
Note that with the verb to be, we can also use the present simple
tense for situations that are not general. We can use the present simple tense
to talk about now. Look at these examples of the verb "to be"
in the present simple tense - some of them are general, some of them are
now:
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Am I right?
Tara is not at home. You are happy. |
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Past
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present
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future
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The situation is now.
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I am not fat.
Why are you so beautiful? Ram is tall. |
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past
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present
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future
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The situation is
general. Past, present and future.
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