Regular actions -the Present Simple

Form

I like	I don’t like.	Do I like
you like	you don’t like	Do you like
he/she/it likes	she doesn’t like	Does it like
we like	we don’t like	Do we like
they like	they don’t like	Do they like

Video

The Present Simple in use – example sentences

We use the present simple to talk about actions we see as long term or permanent. It is a very common and very important tense.

Regular actions or events

Here, we are talking about regular actions or events.

They drive to the office every day.
She doesn’t come here very often.
The news usually starts at 6.00 every evening.
Do you usually have bacon and eggs for breakfast
We start work at 9.

Facts

Here, we are talking about facts.

We have two children.
Water freezes at 0° C or 32° F.
What does this expression mean?
The Thames flows through London.
Penguins don’t live in the Sahara.

Future Facts

Here, we are talking about future facts, usually found in a timetable or a chart.

Christmas Day falls on a Monday this year.
The plane leaves at 5.00 tomorrow morning.
Ramadan doesn’t start for another 3 weeks.
Does the class begin at 10 or 11 this week?
The library doesn’t close until 6.30.

Thoughts and feelings

Here, we are talking about our thoughts and feelings at the time of speaking. Although these feelings can be short-term, we use the present simple and not the present continuous.

They don’t ever agree with us.
I think you are right.
She doesn’t want you to do it.
Do you understand what I am trying to say.
I wonder what she is doing now.