s+ the present simple tense

The present simple tense

Typicalforms of this tense are as in:
I know her.

the present simple tense

(When we tall< about habits, we often add adverbs such as often, always, usually, sometimes, ot never, or adverbial phrases such as on Sundays or in the summer.)

es

He knows her.

statements of fact that are scientific truths or that are about a permanent state.
The sun rises in the east. Bi rds fly south i n th e wi nter.
We live in Scotland.

The present simple tense of do is used as the supporting auxiliary when

you wantto:

ask a question,

Do I knowyou?
Does sheknowyou?

statements that indicate the speaker's opinions or beliefs.

I think he's a very good teacher.
I

don't agree with that at oll .

make a negative statement using not,

not know her. She does not know vou.

I do

fordramatic narrative to tell a storyordescribe an action vividly,

H e walks sl owly to the ch ecko ut a nd puts his b o g on th e counter. Asthe cashier opensthetill he drawsa gun ...

or give a short response.

Do you just hove coffee for breakfast? -Yes, I do.

orwhen giving
...

a commentary on a sports event or public

sees

function.

but Nadal

it. He runs up to the net and smashesthe boll.

We use the present simple tense to talk about:

habits, likes and dislikes, and things that happen regularly.

I like coffee for breakfast but everyone else in my

We can also use the present simple for planned future actions with a time adverb, for example to talk about travel plans and timetables. See pp. rro-rrTfor more aboutfuture reference.

family Thetrain leaves atrc4o a.m. and arrives at3.3o p.m.

We use the present simple in conditional sentences about real possibilities that affect the future. See p. z73 for more on conditional

preferstea.
I

don'ttake sugor in my coffee.

Whot does Jamie usually have for breakfast? They often go to the cinema on Saturdoys.
I

don'tusuallywatchw.

sentences.
lf I lend you my notes, I won't be able to revise tonight.