The present - the simple present

The present

7 In situations where you are discussing an existing state of affairs, you use a verb which is in the present tense. Usually, the verb tense is sufficient to indicate that you are referring to the present. You normally only use an adjunct of time for emphasis, or to refer to something which is unrelated to the present moment.

The present in general: the simple present

8 If you want to talk about your thoughts and feelings at the present moment, or about your immediate reactions to something, you use the simple present.

I'm awfully busy.

They both taste the same.

God, he looks awful.

I want a breath of fresh air.

You can also use the simple present to talk about a physical feeling that is affecting you or someone else.

I feel heavy. I do. I feel drowsy.

My stomach hurts.

Note, however, that if you are talking about physical perceptions such as seeing and hearing, you normally use the modal 'can', although the simple present is occasionally used.

I can see the fishing boats coming in.

I can smell it. Can't you?

I see a flat stretch of ground.

I hear approaching feet.

general present including present moment 9 If you want to talk about a settled state of affairs which includes the present moment but where the particular time reference is not important, you use the simple present.

My dad works in Saudi Arabia.

He lives in the French Alps near the Swiss border.

He is a very good brother. We love him.

She's a doctor's daughter.

Meanwhile, Atlantic City faces another dilemma.

general truths 10 If you want to say that something is always or generally true, you use the simple present.

Near the equator, the sun evaporates greater quantities of water.

A molecule of water has two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen.

A chemical reaction occurs in the fuel cell.

Windmills intended for electricity generation rotate rapidly and have a small number of vanes.

regular or habitual actions 11 If you want to talk about something that a particular person or thing does regularly or habitually, you use the simple present.

Do you smoke?

I get up early and eat my breakfast listening to the radio.

used in reviews 12 You usually use the simple present when you are discussing what happens in a book, play, or film.

In the film he plays the central character of Charles Smithson.

In those early chapters, he does keep himself very much in the background.

USAGE NOTE 13 You can use the simple present of the verb 'say' when you are describing something you have read in a book.

The criminal justice system, the author says, has failed to keep pace with the drug problem.

The Bible says love of money is the root of all evil.

used in commentaries 14 On radio and television, commentators often use the simple present when describing an event such as a sports match or a ceremony at the time that it is happening.

Andy Gray takes the ball upfield again, passes to McInally on the edge of the box. He turns, shootsand a fine save from Grobbelaar.

used in reporting 15 When you are reporting what someone said to you at some point in the recent past, you can use the simple present of a reporting verb such as 'hear' or 'tell'.

I've never been greyhoundracing myself, but they tell me it's a fascinating sport.

There are some fine railings in Westminster Abbey, I hear.

I hear you're moving.

Grace says you told her to come over here.

For more detailed information about reporting verbs, see Chapter 7.

16 When commenting on what you are saying or doing, you use the simple present of a performative verb such as 'admit', 'promise', 'reject', or 'enclose'. For more information on performative verbs, see paragraphs 10.102 to 10.10

This, I admit, was my favourite activity.

I enclose a small cheque which may come in handy.

I leave it with confidence in your hands, Emmanuel.

Accent on the present: the present continuous

17 If you want to talk about something that is happening at the moment you are speaking, you use the present continuous.

We're having a meeting. Come and join in.

What am I doing? I'm looking out of the window.

My head is aching.

I'm already feeling tense.

18 If you want to emphasize the present moment or to indicate that a situation is temporary, you use the present continuous.

Only one hospital, at Angal, is functioning.

We're trying to create a more democratic society.

She's spending the summer in Europe.

I'm working as a British Council Officer.

19 You also use the present continuous to indicate changes, trends, development, and progress.

The village is changing but it is still undisturbed.

His handwriting is improving.

World energy demand is increasing at a rate of about 3% per year.

20 If you want to talk about a habitual action that takes place regularly, especially one which is new or temporary, you use the present continuous.

'You're drinking too much.''Only at home. No one sees me but you.'

Do you know if she's still playing these days?

She's seeing a lot more of them.

Emphasizing time in the present: using adjuncts

21 You do not normally need to use an adjunct of time or other time expression with present tenses, but you can add them in order to emphasize the immediate present or general present, or to contrast the present with the past or future.

We're working with Robert Hardy just at this moment, recording an autumn series.

We're safe now.

What's the matter with you today, Marnie?

I haven't got a grant this year.

general truths 22 If you are using the simple present to talk about something that is always or generally true, you can reinforce or weaken your statement by using an adverb.

Babies normally lose weight in the beginning.

The official attitude is usually one of ridicule.

Traditionally, the Communist Party does well in local elections.

Here is a list of common adverbs that can be used to modify your statement in this way:

The use of the simple present to talk about general truths is explained in paragraph 10.

regular actions 23 When you use the simple present to say that an action takes place regularly, you can use an adjunct of frequency to be more specific about how often it happens.

Several groups meet weekly.

I visit her about once every six months.

It seldom rains there.

I never drink alone.

The use of the simple present to talk about regular activities is explained in paragraph 11.

More information about adjuncts of frequency, including a list of the most common ones, can be found in paragraphs 114 to 122.

frequent actions 24 The present continuous is also used with adjuncts of frequency when you want to emphasize how often the action takes place. This is often done to express disapproval or annoyance. The adjunct of frequency is placed after the auxiliary verb.

You're always looking for faults.

It's always raining.

And she's always talking to him on the telephone.

They are forever being knocked down by cars.

The use of the present continuous to talk about frequent, habitual actions is explained in paragraph 20.

adjuncts with present tenses 25 Note that many adjuncts of time such as 'now' and 'today' which refer to the present time are also sometimes used with other tenses. However, there are a few adjuncts which are almost always used with present tenses.

I shared a taxi with Jerry Laws, who was formerly a boxer and is presently a singer.

the camping craze that is currently sweeping America.

Nowadays fitness is becoming a generally accepted principle of life.

The following is a list of adjuncts which are normally only used with the present tense:

Note that in this list the word 'presently' means 'now'.