English Grammar: Simple Present Tense

Contrast With Other Tenses

• The Simple Present tense is often contrasted with:
  • Simple Past: used to describe completed actions in the past
  • Simple Future: used to describe future actions
  • Present Continuous: used to describe ongoing actions at the moment of speaking
  • Present Perfect: used to describe actions started in the past and continued up to the present

Usage

• The Simple Present tense is used to:
  1. Describe habits or routines:
     • I wake up at 7:00 am every day.
     • She eats breakfast at 8:00 am.
  2. Express general truths or universal facts:
     • The sun rises in the east.
     • Water boils at 100°C.
  3. Describe scheduled events or timetables:
     • The train leaves at 5:00 pm.
     • The meeting starts at 2:00 pm.
  4. Express opinions or feelings:
     • I love reading books.
     • She hates coffee.
  5. In conditional sentences:
     • If it rains, I take an umbrella.
     • If she studies hard, she will pass the exam.
  6. To describe actions that are true in general:
     • Babies cry.
     • Plants need water.

Learn about the usage and contrast of the Simple Present tense in English grammar, including habits, general truths, scheduled events, opinions, and conditional sentences.