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Simple present: use

General time: It always rains in November.​

We often use the simple present to talk about timeless truths, permanent situations, or things that happen regularly, repeatedly or all the time.

  • What do frogs eat? (not What are frogs eating?)
  • Alice works for an insurance company.
  • It always rains here in November.
  • I play tennis every Wednesday.
simple present: permanent situationsPASTNOWFUTUREAlice works for an insurance company.​

The graph of simple present for repeated actions.

Not used for things happening just around the present​

We do not usually use the simple present to talk about temporary situations or actions that are only going on around the present. Compare:

  • Water boils at 100° Celsius.
    The kettle’s boiling – shall I make tea? (not The kettle boils …)
  • It usually snows in January.
    Look – it’s snowing! (not Look – it snows!)
  • I play tennis every Wednesday.
    ‘Where’s Bernard?’ ‘He’s playing tennis.’ (not … He plays tennis.)

Non-progressive verbs​

However, the simple present is used for this ‘around the present’ meaning with verbs that do not usually have progressive forms (see here).

  • I like this wine. (not I’m liking …)
  • I believe you. (not I’m believing you.)

Talking about the future​

We do not normally use the simple present to talk about the future.

  • I promise I won’t smoke any more. (not I promise I don’t smoke …) (see here)
  • We’re going to the theatre this evening. (not We go to the theatre this evening.)
  • ‘There’s the doorbell.’ ‘I’ll get it.’ (not I get it.) (see here)

However, the simple present is used for ‘timetabled’ future events (see here).

  • His train arrives at 11.46.
  • I start my new job tomorrow.

And the simple present is often used instead of will … in subordinate clauses that refer to the future. (For details, (see here).)

  • I’ll kill anybody who touches my things. (not … who will touch …)
  • I’ll phone you when I get home. (not … when I’ll get home.)

The simple present is also used in suggestions with Why don’t you …?

  • Why don’t you take a day off tomorrow?

Series of events: demonstrations, commentaries, instructions, stories​

When we talk about a series of completed actions and events, we often use the simple present. This happens, for example, in demonstrations, commentaries, instructions and present-tense stories (see here) for more details).

  • First I take a bowl and break two eggs into it. (not First I am taking …)
  • Lydiard passes to Taylor, Taylor shoots – and it’s a goal!
  • ‘How do I get to the station?’ ‘You go straight on until you come to the traffic lights, then you turn left, ….’
  • So I go into the office, and I see this man, and he says to me …

how long? present tenses not used​

We use a perfect tense, not a present tense, to say how long a present action or situation has been going on. (see here) for details.)

  • I’ve known her since 1990. (not I know her since 1990.)