In our previous chapter, we learnt Tense and its different other forms. With this chapter, we will start learning each Tense forms with more elaboration and  more examples. So, let’s start with Simple Present Tense today.

Simple Present Tense

I love playing football

See the above sentence. The verb ‘love‘ is in the present time. It’s an action done in all time. ‘You love playing football‘ – in the past, in the present and maybe in the future. There is no time specific for this action. Such types of tenses are to be in Simple Present Tenses, an action in all the time periods, time zones.

Examples

• I eat noodles [indicates.    [This action of eating is normal for me and I do it on a regular basis.]
• She speaks English.           [It's her habit to speak a language; no time factor here]
• Mr. John drives his car.    [indicates - he drives his own car everyday or whenever he can- no time factor here.]
• It rains in the rainy seasons.   [It's a action in the rainy season, a common action in this time every year.]
• You dance very well.     [Your habitual action - dancing very well, in all time]
• I study in standard XI.   [indicates - I study in a standard in this time. It' s been going for a specific time & will end at a specific time. But currently, it's in the present time.]

In simple words, we need to use Simple Present Tense when an action is common, habitual, done in all times and a regular occurrence, irrespective of a particular time period. If you say, “I watch movies“, this will indicate that it’s your habit or choice to watch movies. You don’t have a specific time for watching movies; this action may happen any time.

Uses of Simple Present Tense

We use or better say, we must use simple tense, when we have no particular timing of the action. Check out below to see a few uses of simple present tense in English grammar.

Habitual Action

To express a habitual action, we must use simple present tense only since, it happens in all times. See examples →

• She drinks coffee. (her regular habit)
• I prefer sweets to snacks. (my liking of sweets over snacks; my regular choice)
• My mom wakes up early in the morning.   (it’s her daily habit)
• John walks 3 km to reach his school. (his daily habit reaching school)

Universal Truths

To express a statement or to refer to an action which is universally accepted, we gotta use simple present tense. See examples →

• The earth moves round the sun. (There won’t be any change in it, anytime, anywhere)
• It rains in the rainy seasons.  (It’s a universal occurrences)
• Light is faster than sound.
• Man is mortal.

Common Actions

When we refer to commons action done by almost everyone or by a majority of people or objects, we need to use simple present tense only. See examples →

• I love my nation.  (almost everyone loves his/her country)
• We play to win matches. (everyone plays to win matches)
• The buses ply in this route. (a common activity in this route)
• We observe 2nd October as the Gandhi Jayanti in India. (every Indian does it)

No-time Factor

We have certain actions which are not bound by any time; it may happen in all time. We use Simple Present Tense in this case. See examples →

• I have a brother. (no time factor here.)
• She speaks in Spanish. (a language she speaks, all time)
• He writes novels.  (a normal/usual action by him)
• Birds fly in the sky.  (a normal activity by birds, no time factor here)

Proverbs

In proverbs or sayings, we use simple present tense since those are applicable or relevant in all ages. See examples →

• Fortune favors the brave.   (well, we all know this)
• Two is a company, three’s a crowd. (it’s true)
• Necessity is the mother of invention.
• All that glisters is not gold.  (applicable in all ages)

Note1: In some sayings, we have past tens used. e.g. “Rome was not built in a day.” However, this too is relevant in all ages; just the way the proverb maker made it.

Action at a Particular Future Time or in Near Future

When we have an action to be done in near future or at a mentioned time, we use simple present tense.

• The school reopens on Monday next. (in the future but has a fixed time)
• The match starts at 9 am tomorrow. (at a fixed future time)
• The classes begin next month. (near future, fixed time)
• The train leaves at 11 o’clock tonight.

Note2: You can use simple future tense for the above sentences. However, the use of future tense is rare in this case and almost obsolete in modern English.

Other than what’s explained above, use Simple Present Tense when you’re unsure of the time your action refers to. This tense applies everywhere regardless of any timing. For an action, done right at this moment, we use Present Continuous Tense. We’ll read about it in our next chapter.

For any questions or any assistance with the tenses, get in touch with me. I will try to help you understand things in a better & easier way. Also, do point out what I have missed here or if I need to make any changes. Your feedback will be appreciative.