1 – Repeated actions

The Present Simple is used to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. It shows the action to
be a habit, a hobby, a scheduled event, or something that often happens. It can even show something a
person forgets regularly or never does:

I play the piano.

She doesn't play tennis.
Does he play tennis?
The bus leaves every 30 minutes.
The bus does not pass through your street.
When does the bus leave?
I never forget a face.
I always forget the names of new acquaintances.
Did you forget your phone again?
The sun rises in the centre of the bay in summer.
Where does the sun rise from?

2 – Facts or generalizations

The Present Simple can also show that the speaker believes a fact was true, is true now, and will be true in
the future. It is also used to make generalizations:

Italians love cooking.

The English do not like travelling to cold countries for their holidays.
Do the Japanese eat beef?

3 – Scheduled events in the near future

The Present Simple can be used to talk about a scheduled event in the near future. This is normally used
with time tables; arrival and departure times, but it can be used with other scheduled events especially if
there is a fixed time which is referred to in the sentence.

The flight leaves at 6:55. Why such an ungodly hour?

The party starts at nine.
What time does the morning lesson start?

It is important to remember that the Present Simple is only used for a scheduled time when it is absolutely
clear in context and cannot be confused with a routine. In situations like this the Present Continuous is
used:

I meet Peter at seven on Friday. – This means every Friday.

I am meeting Peter at seven on Friday. – This is a fixed arrangement for the future.

4 – Using 'now' with non-continuous verbs

Speakers sometimes use the Present Simple to express the idea that an action is happening now. Normally
this is expressed with the Present Continuous but the Present Simple can be used with verbs that do not
take the continuous form and with 'mixed' verbs.

I'm here in London now.

I'm afraid Sarah is not here now.
John needs our help now.
Do you have your camera with you now?
I don't have time now.