Present Simple

Present Simple

Grammar Tip

Continuous verbs are usually active verbs (verbs such as to learn), that refer to an action. Stative verbs (such as to like), refer to a state, and are usually used in simple tenses, e.g. I like this song. Who sings it? NOT I’m liking this song as to like is a state, not an action.

Some verbs such as to feel have both an active and a stative meaning.

• To refer to habitual or repeated actions:
  • I read the Bible just about every day.
  • She never goes to the cinema.
  • He doesn’t come here very often.
  • Do you smoke?
  • With the present simple, frequency adverbs are often used (e.g. usually, always, frequently, generally, sometimes, rarely, often, never, normally, every day).
• To refer to permanent states:
  • She holds a university degree in economics.
  • Note: use the present perfect, not the present simple when describing how long or since when something has continued:
  • She has taught economics since 1991. (not She has teaches economics since 1991)
• To talk about factual information, such as generally accepted truths or scientific facts:
  • Parents are generally blind to their children’s faults.
  • Water boils at 100°C.
  • The following frequency adverbs are often used: generally, normally, usually
• To give instructions (e.g. cooking) or directions:
  • First, you add the sugar to the butter; then, you add two eggs.
  • You go up the stairs and turn right.
• To talk about what happens in books, plays and films:
  • In the film, a young woman travels to the countryside and soon falls in love.
• To use with state verbs when the meaning is not temporary. These verbs often describe a state rather than an action and therefore do not normally have continuous tenses.
  • Verbs that describe senses: see, hear, smell, taste, feel, look, sound
    The coffee tastes really bitter.
  • Note: when something is happening now, we use can:
    I can’t see anything. It’s too dark.
  • Verbs of possession: have, belong, possess, own
    This camera belongs to my wife.
  • Verbs of perception: know, believe, understand, forget, think, remember
    I think she’s too young to get married.
  • Verbs of emotion: care, like, dislike, love, hate, mind, prefer, enjoy, adore
    Do you mind if I open the window?
    I adore my husband.
  • Verbs of description: seem, mean, look like, contain, sound, resemble, weigh
    You resemble my father.