To refer to the future

The present simple is often used to refer to future events that are scheduled (and outside of our control).

• Hurry up! The train departs in 10 minutes.

• I leave Frankfurt at 5 o'clock in the morning and arrive in New York

at midnight the next day.

• She has a piano lesson after school today.

• There's no need to hurry. The train doesn't leave for another 30 minutes.

• When does the meeting begin?

The simple present or present simple is one of the verb forms associated with the present tense in modern English. It is commonly referred to as a tense, although it also encodes certain information about aspect in addition to present time.

It is called "simple" because its basic form consists of a single word (like write or writes), in contrast with other present tense forms such as the present progressive (is writing) and present perfect (has written). For nearly all English verbs the simple present is identical to the base form (dictionary form) of the verb, except when the subject is third-person singular, in which case the ending -(e)s is added. There are a few verbs with irregular forms, the most notable being the copula be, which has the simple present forms am, is and are.

The Present Simple tense (or Simple Present) is one of the most used verb tenses in English. It describes general facts, states, and habits. At its core, the Present Simple is used to refer to the general state of affairs in the present. Because it is usually the first tense learned in language courses, it is the most remembered. However, bear in mind that there are other verb tenses that target more specific shades of meaning. To know more, read these sections of our review on the Present Simple in English. For other related English grammar topics, you are welcome to browse our English lessons portal. 1. Slogan 2. Usages 3. Form 4. Common time expressions 5. Negative statements and question types 6. Summary

 

Slogan: “It happens all the time !”

The slogan encapsulates the basic meaning of the Present Simple, so use it when hesitating about what verb form to choose in your English writing. Remembering one short slogan can help you navigate through all the grammar rules it relates to.

2. Usages:

Read through the table and try to understand the connection between the usages and the slogan.

Use	Examples	Explanations
1. General truth	• Water boils at 100˚C. • The earth revolves around the sun.	• These are scientific facts that are always true and cannot be argued with.
2. Fact	• Apples are red, yellow, or green. • The data show an increase in sales.	• These facts are always true, permanent and indisputable.
3. State	• Michelle lives in Paris. • She works in Versailles. • She believes in balancing business and pleasure.	• Paris is her permanent place of residence. She may not be there now, but always returns there. • She works in Versailles. She may not be there right now, but that’s her place of work. • Also for expressing belief and opinion
4. Habit	• We take a French class twice a week. • We read a French website every day.	• We do these actions repeatedly, as they are habits. We may not be taking a class or reading now, but generally this happens regularly.

 

Watch out !

• If the activity does not occur all the time and is only happening now, you need the Present Progressive tense Today, I am cleaning the house (but only today). • Stative verbs (appear, realize, love, sound) are more commonly used with simple tenses rather than with progressive tenses.

Advanced Usages of the Present Simple:

Use	Examples	Explanations
5. Future plans and schedules	• Don’t be late, the train leaves tomorrow at 9:00 sharp ! • All new German courses begin next week.	• future plans related to a preset schedule, which regularly repeats itself.
6. Reporting live events, story-telling, or retelling a plot (narrative present)	• “Owen kicks the ball to Ronaldinio, who passes it to Beckham. Beckham scores a goal !” • “A guy walks into a bar and starts talking to…” This is how the movie begins. • In Romeo and Juliet, Juliet’s father wants her to marry Paris, but Juliet loves Romeo.	• This provides an instantaneous sense of the present, adding drama to live sport commentaries. • Also used in giving accounts of stories, jokes, novels, movies, and plays (no matter how old they are).