Present simple (I work)

We use the present simple to talk about regular or habitual events. We often usealways, often, usually, sometimes, neverand other frequency adverbs for regular and habitual events:

Howdoyougetto work?Doyougetthe bus?

Ireadevery night before Igoto sleep.

We alwayshavea holiday in the summer. We neverworkin August.

We usuallyflyto France when we go. Loreadoesn’t likethe ferry. Itmakesher feel sick.

We use the present simple when we are giving instructions or directions. We often use ordering words, such asand,firstandthenwith this use of the present simple:

[giving directions]

Youtakethe train into the city centreand thenyoutakea number five bus. Youdon’tgetoff at the museum. Yougetoff at the stop after the museum.

[giving instructions before a test]

So what you do is … youreadthe questionsfirst and thenyouwritedown your answers in the box. Youdon’t writeon the question paper.

We often use the present simple to describe a series of actions – one action after another. We see this especially in stories, summaries of stories or reviews:

[talking about the series of events in a novel]

Alexdoesn’t ringback at midnight … shewaitstill the morning to ring, and theygetannoyed with Liz when shegoeson … theyknowshe’sgotplenty of money by their standards …

The present simple is often used by sports commentators to give commentaries or report actions as they are happening:

Mwaruwauri BenjanifoulsCahill. Habsitakesthe free kick, Caicedoshootsandvolleys. O’Brienblocks.

We use the present simple, often with verbs of senses and perception, to talk about feelings and reactions at the moment of speaking:

Doyouthinkthat meat is ok to eat? Itdoesn’t smellvery good.

Wheredoesithurt?

[talking about the colour of a dress]

Idon’t likethe colour. IthinkIlookterrible.

Itseemsa bit quiet in here. Where is everyone?

Don’tyoubelieveme? It’s true, honestly.

We use the present simple with speech act verbs (verbs which perform the act that they describe):

I will pay you back, Ipromise, when I get paid.

Iagreewith everything you say.

We also use the present simple in a similar way in formal statements and in business or legal communications:

Iattachthe original signed copies for your records.

On behalf of the Society, and particularly those involved in medical work, Iwriteto thank you for your kind gift of £20,000 …(more formal thanI’m writing to thank you …)

We use the present simple to talk about events that are part of a future plan or timetable:

The lessonstartsat 9.30 tomorrow instead of 10.30.

Lunchisat 12.30. Don’t be late.

What timedoyouland?(talking about a flight at some time in the future)

Theydon’t startback to school until next Monday.

We can also often usewillin these sentences, with no change in meaning:

The lessonwillstart at 9.30 tomorrow instead of 10.30.

We use the present simple for future reference in subordinate clauses after words likewhen,before,as soon as,ifandwhether:

I’ll call you when Igetthere.

Not:I’ll call you when I’ll get there.

Don’t forget to ring before yougo.

Not:Don’t forget to ring before you’ll go.

They hope to move in to the new house as soon as theygetback from Australia next month.

Not: …as soon as they’ll get back from Australia next month.

We often see the present simple in news headlines to report past events. It emphasises the drama or immediacy of an event:

Manrescueschild from lake

Taiwanese envoysarrivein China