Two main ways of talking about the present time:
(1) The Simple Present
(2) The Present Progressive
1 - The Simple Present
We make the simple present by using the verb in its basic form. We add -s or -es to the verb in the third person singular.
The simple present is used in the following ways:
1 - Talking about something which is happening now, and which will continue to happen in the future. We often use the simple present in this meaning to talk about things that are true about your life, for example where you live, your job, or the kinds of things you like.
(Example)
(1) Martin lives in Canada.
(2) I work in a hospital.
(3) "What kind of books do you read?" "I mostly read science fiction".
2 - Talking about something which happens again and again, or when you say that something happens regularly at a particular time. Use words and phrases such as:
(1) always
(2) often
(3) sometimes
(4) occasionally
(5) never
(6) on Tuesdays
(7) every day
(Example)
(1) They often go out to restaurants.
(2) I travel to London twice a week.
(3) He gets up at 6 o'clock.
(4) She goes to church every Sunday.
3 - Talking about something which stays the same forever - such as a scientific fact.
(Example)
(1) Oil floats on water.
(2) Two and two make four.
4 - Describing what is happening at the exact moment when you are speaking. This meaning of the simple present is used for example in sports commentaries.
(Example)
Shearer gets the ball from Gascoigne. He shoots - and scores!
(NOTE) For descriptions for actions that are happening now, we usually use the present progressive rather than the present simple.
(Example)
- "What are you doing?" "I'm making a poster." --> (NOT) I make a poster.
