SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

USAGE EXAMPLES
1-GENERAL TRUTHS *THE LETF-HAND SIDE OF THE BRAIN CONTROLS THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE
BODY.
*THE SUN RISES IN THE EAST.
*THE EARTH IS REVOLVING AROUND THE SUN.
*HUMANS ARE MORTALS.
*CHANGING IS NATURE'S LAW.
2- CURRENT HABITS AND ROUTINES *MY MOTHER ALWAYS GEYS UP AT 6.00 IN THE MORNING EVERDAY
PERMANANT ACTIONS *HE DRINKS TEA AT BREAKFAST.
*SHE ONLY EATS FISH./I LIVE IN BURSA
*THEY WATCH TELEVISION REGULARLY.
3-FOR REPEATED ACTIONS OR *IT RAINS EVERY AFTERNOON IN THE HOT SEASON.
EVENTS *THEY DRIVE TO MONACO EVERY SUMMER.
4-LIVE SPORTS COMMENTARY *ADAM PASSES TO ADEM .IT IS A GOAL
5-NEWSPAPER HEADLINES *TÜRKİYE DRAW WITH WALES IN GOALLESS
*ORHAN PAMUK WINS NOBEL PRIZE
6-REVIEWS AND SUMMARIES *THE FILM ENDS WITH US NOT KNOWING WHETHER THEY HAVE BEEN
SUCCESSFUL OR NOT
7-INSTRUCTION AND DIRECTIONSTS *TURN LEFT AT THE END OF THE ROAD AND THE SCHOOL IS UP AHEAD
*DO NOT SPEAK LOUDLY
*DO YOUR HOMEWORK
8-PROVERBS AND SAYING *TOO MANY COOKS SPOIL THE BROTH
9-THE FUTURE( FOR FIXED EVENT- * OUR HOLIDAY STARTS ON THE 26TH MARCH
ARRANGEMENTS- FOR SOMETHİNG *TERMS ENDS ON 21st DECEMBER
SCHEDULED: TIMETABLE-- refer to a * WE HAVE A LESSON NEXT MONDAY.
future event that Is planned and Is *THE TRAIN ARRIVES AT 6.30 IN THE MORNING
not lIkely to change: * CHRISTMAS EVE IS ON A TUESDAY THIS YEAR.
*HER BIRTHDAY FALLS ON A FRIDAY NEXT YEAR. (A KNOWN FACT ABOUT
THE FUTURE)
*SHE HAS HER DRIVING TEST NEXT WEEK, DOES SHE? (A FİXED
ARRANGEMENT)
*THE PLANE LEAVES AT 20.12. (A TİMETABLE)
*WHAT TIME DOES THEIR FLIGHT TO SEOUL LEAVE? (A SCHEDULE)
THE FUTURE (IN TIME CLAUSES) *WHEN I’M 70, I’LL RETIRE.
* WE WON’T EAT UNTIL THE GUESTS ARRIVE.
* WHEN I COOK DINNER, I’LL WATCH THE LAST EPISODE.
*AFTER WE FINISH THE EXAM ,WE CAN LEAVE
WORDS AND PHRASESOFTEN USED ALWAYS-OFTENGENERALLY/RARELY…..THESE DAYS/FROM TIME TO
WITH SIMPLE PRESENT TIME/EVERYDAY /EVERY MORNING… AT THE WEEKENDS.. ON MONDAYS

LAZINESS KILS AMBITION

EVENTS AT THE TIME OF SPEAKING- * LOOK ! She’s pressing the button but nothing is happening.
ACTIONS HAPPENING NOW * Please be quiet. The children are sleeping.
* I am writing a letter to my friend now
TEMPORARY SITUATIONS AND SERIES * WE ARE NOT HANING ANY EXAMS WHILE THE TEACHERS ARE STILL ON
OF ACTION STRIKE
* She is staying with us for a few days.
* We're temporarily living in a motel. We'll stay there until
we find an apartment.
* She's working in Chicago this month (but will work
somewhere else later).
CHANGING AND DEVELOPING * The climate is changing rapidly.
SITUATIONS * Your English is improving
* You’re getting taller and taller every day.
*The weather‘s getting warmer.
* Your English is getting a lot better.
*That tree is growing so quickly.
*The world is changing rapidly.
ANNOYING OR AMUSING HABITS * She‘s always complaining about how difficult her life is.
(wıth always) *YOU ARE ALWAYS MAKING SAME MISTAKE
* YOU ARE always forgetting to water the plants.
* He’s always losing his wallet.
*They’re always biting their nails.
*My sister’s always oversleeping.
THE FUTURE (FOR ARRANGEMENTS) *I'm visiting my friend tomorrow.
We use the present continuous to *We aren't going to school today.
refer to the future when we talk *What are you doing tonight?
about plans and arrangements that *I am taking the train to Paris tomorrow.
have already been made: We often *I’m meeting Sally at 7. (=I have talked to her, and we have arranged to
use the present continuous to talk meet.)
about the future, especially about *I’m flying to New York tomorrow morning. (=I have the ticket.)
future plans when we have decided *We’re getting married next July. (=We have decided it, and we have
on a time and a place with other probably already made reservations for the restaurant, etc.)
people. We normally use a future *I am leaving for Madrid on Saturday morning.
time expression, e.g. tomorrow, next (I have arranged my trip to Madrid.)
week, at 7, etc. *Sarah is going on holiday to Greece in July.
(She has already booked her holiday.)
We are coming back from New York on 12 April.
(We have made a flight reservation.)
The present continuous for future arrangements is very common with
verbs of travelling and when we are meeting people.
*I’m leaving very early tomorrow. I’m taking the 7.30 train.
*I’m playing golf with Jack next Saturday. Would you like to come?
*I’m seeing the dentist after class.

Now /rıght now/at the momment/for now/today/ at present/thıs weekıt is the last tıme……………………..
Present Tense Simple and Progressive
1. They normally ________________ a coffee break at ten, but today there's a lot of work to do
so they ___________________ one. (HAVE, NOT HAVE)
2. Why _____________________ my coat? – I'm sorry. – It ________________ just like mine. (YOU
WEAR, LOOK)
3. ___________________ the men in black suits over there? – They ________________ at us in a
strange way. (YOU SEE, LOOK)
4. The food ________________ chemicals that make it last longer. (CONTAIN)
5. It ________________ the moon about 28 days to travel around the earth. (TAKE)
6. Everything in this box ________________ to my grandfather. He __________________ it to me
instead of my brother. (BELONG, GIVE)
7. Mary ________________ through a very difficult period at university this year. (GO)
8. Dad ________________ everything about airplanes. He always ________________ books about
aviation. (KNOW, READ)
9. I used to play football in school but now I ________________ rugby. (PREFER)
10.Hi Dan! – What ___________________ to do this evening? – Well, I ________________ to a
concert with a few friends and after that we ________________ a good meal at a fine
restaurant. (YOU PLAN, GO, HAVE)
11.What ____________________ for a living? – Well, he's a lawyer but he quit his old job and at
the moment he ________________ for a new one. (YOUR DAD DO, LOOK)
12.You ________________ shopping every Saturday. – Why __________________ that? (GO, YOU
DO)
13.I ________________ absolutely no idea what this movie is about. (HAVE)
14.The two department managers ________________ lunch at the moment. We shouldn't
disturb them. (HAVE)
15.Teachers ________________ us homework every day, but this weekend they ________________
us any because of the mid-term break. (GIVE, NOT GIVE)
16.Where __________________________ from? I think they ________________ from Jamaica, but I'm
not sure. (NEW NEIGHBOURS COME, BE)
17.The air ________________ strange. There must be something going on in the factory.
(SMELL)
18.I can't listen to what you ________________ to tell me because I'm so nervous at the
moment. (TRY)

Complete the sentences using the correct form of the present tense.
1. It often _____________________ in Ireland. That’s why they call it the “Green Island”. But it
_____________________ there at the moment. (RAIN, NOT RAIN)
2. Such behaviour normally _____________________ me furious (MAKE).
3. I _____________________ a word he says. (NOT BELIEVE)
4. I _____________________ a hat today because it’s such a special event. (WEAR)
5. Susan __________________ an email to her parents nearly every Saturday evening. (WRITE)
6. Stop right now! You ___________________ the flowers every time the ball _________________ in
the flower bed. (BREAK, LAND)
7. Where is Jimmy? – I don’t know. I _____________________ he _____________________ tennis
with his younger brother, Mark. (THINK, PLAY)
8. My mum _____________________ a party for her best friends once a year. (ORGANISE)
9. She _____________________ in London, but she _________________________ with friends up in
Scotland. (LIVE, CURRENTLY STAY)
10.Our headmaster rarely _____________________ a class. He _____________________ a lot of
administrative work to do. (TEACH, HAVE)
11.As the private secretary of the boss I _____________________ up to a hundred emails every
day. (READ)
12. Look at her! – She _____________________ in a non-smoking area. (SMOKE)
13. _____________________ to a tennis club? (YOU BELONG)
14.Dana _____________________ reading a good novel (LOVE).
15.Songs that are not very popular _____________________ very well. (NOT SELL)
16.My brother isn’t here. He _____________________ Spain at the moment. (TOUR)
17.Tom always _____________________ the strangest questions in class. (ASK)
18.I _____________________ lottery tickets every week, but I _____________________ anything
(BUY, NEVER WIN)
19.You can’t disturb them. They _____________________ a game of cards. (PLAY)
20.Can’t you see that I _____________________ on my thesis? – I _____________________
To disturb me. (WORK, NOT WANT)
21.Our children _____________________ going skiing with us. (ENJOY)
22.The plane _____________________ the runway now. You are too late. (LEAVE)
23.I ___________________ websites for a living. What ___________________? (CREATE,
YOU DO)
24.She _____________________ of leaving home and going to Australia for a year. (THINK)
25.I told you that I ________________________ with you any more. You’re simply not a team
player. (NOT WORK)
KEY
1. It often rains in Ireland. That’s why they call it the “Green Island”. But it’s not raining
there at the moment. (RAIN, NOT RAIN)
2. Such behaviour normally makes me furious (MAKE).
3. I don’t believe a word he says. (NOT BELIEVE)
4. I am wearing a hat today because it’s such a special event. (WEAR)
5. Susan writes an email to her parents nearly every Saturday evening. (WRITE)
6. Stop right now! You break the flowers every time the ball lands in the flower bed.
(BREAK, LAND)
7. Where is Jimmy? – I don’t know. I think he’s playing tennis with his younger brother,
Mark. (THINK, PLAY)
8. My mum organises a party for her best friends once a year. (ORGANISE)
9. She lives in London, but she is currently staying with friends up in Scotland. (LIVE,
STAY)
10.Our headmaster rarely teaches a class. He has a lot of administrative work to do.
(TEACH, HAVE)
11.As the private secretary of the boss I read up to a hundred emails every day. (READ)
12.Look at her! – She is smoking in a non-smoking area. (SMOKE)
13.Do you belong to a tennis club? (YOU BELONG)
14.Dana loves reading a good novel (LOVE).
15.Songs that are not very popular do not sell very well. (NOT SELL)
16.My brother isn’t here. He’s touring Spain at the moment. (TOUR)
17.Tom always asks the strangest questions in class. (ASK)
18.I buy lottery tickets every week, but I never win anything (BUY, NEVER WIN)
19.You can’t disturb them. They are playing a game of cards. (PLAY)
20.Can’t you see that I’m working on my thesis? – I don’t want you to disturb me.
(WORK, NOT WANT)
21.Our children enjoy going skiing with us. (ENJOY)
 22.The plane is leaving the runway now. You are too late. (LEAVE)
23.I create websites for a living. What do you do ? (CREATE, YOU DO)
24.She is thinking of leaving home and going to Australia for a year. (THINK)
25.I told you that I am not working/don’t work with you any more. You’re simply not a
team player. (NOT WORK)

KEY
1. They normally have a coffee break at ten, but today there's a lot of work to do so
they aren't having one. (HAVE, NOT HAVE)
2. Why are you wearing my coat? – I'm sorry. – It looks just like mine. (YOU WEAR,
LOOK)
3. Do you see the men in black suits over there? – They are looking at us in a strange
way. (YOU SEE, LOOK)
4. The food contains chemicals that make it last longer. (CONTAIN)
5. It takes the moon about 28 days to travel around the earth. (TAKE)
6. Everything in this box belongs to my grandfather. He is giving it to me instead of my
brother. (BELONG, GIVE)
7. Mary is going through a very difficult period at university this year. (GO)
8. Dad knows everything about airplanes. He always reads books about aviation.
(KNOW, READ)
9. I used to play football in school but now I prefer rugby. (PREFER)
10.Hi Dan! – What are you planning to do this evening? – Well, I'm going to a concert
with a few friends and after that we're having a good meal at a fine restaurant.
(YOU PLAN, GO, HAVE)
11.What does your dad do for a living? – Well, he's a lawyer but he quit his old job and
at the moment he is looking for a new one. (YOUR DAD DO, LOOK)
12.You go shopping every Saturday. – Why do you do that? (GO, YOU DO)
13.I have absolutely no idea what this movie is about. (HAVE)
14.The two department managers are having lunch at the moment. We shouldn't
disturb them. (HAVE)
15.Teachers give us homework every day, but this weekend they aren't giving us any
because of the mid-term break. (GIVE, NOT GIVE)
16.Where do our new neighbours come from? I think they're from Jamaica, but I'm not
sure. (NEW NEIGHBOURS COME, BE)
17.The air smells strange. There must be something going on in the factory. (SMELL)
18.I can't listen to what you are trying to tell me because I'm so nervous at the
moment. (TRY)
Complete the dialogue with the verbs from the list. Some verbs are used twice.

TAKE, START, LEAVE, GO, DO, DEPART, GET, COME

The Big Day

A: Have you heard of Brad and Mimi?

B: Brad and Mimi? What's happened?

A: They ______________________married on Saturday.

B: You're joking. I didn't know that Mimi fancied Brad. When ____________ the wedding ________place?

A: It _______________ place on Saturday. Didn't you listen to me?

B: Of course I did. But what time ______________it ____________ ?

A: The wedding ceremony ____________________ at 11 o'clock in the All Saints church.

B: ____________ you __________________ to the wedding?

A: Yes, I'm. They've invited me.

B: Do you think I could join you?

A: Why not? I'm sure the church is going to be full. But I _____ early in the morning, because my dad__________
work by car on Saturday and he can take me to the All Saints.

B: If your dad doesn't mind...

A: No problem. The more, the merrier, he always says. By the way, _______you _________anything tomorrow mornin
We could buy some present for them.

B: Good idea. We can get the bus to the Macy's Shopping Gallery. It __________ at 9.35.

A: All right. See you at the bus stop. Bye.

B: Bye-bye.

The Big Day

A: Have you heard of Brad and Mimi?

B: Brad and Mimi? What's happened?

A: They are getting married on Saturday.

B: You're joking. I didn't know that Mimi fancied Brad. When does the wedding take place?

A: It takes place on Saturday. Didn't you listen to me?

B: Of course I did. But what time does it start ?

A: The wedding ceremony starts 11 o'clock in the All Saints church.

B: Are you comıng to the wedding?

A: Yes, I'm. They've invited me.

B: Do you think I could join you?

A: Why not? I'm sure the church is going to be full. But I am leavıng early in the morning, because my dad
ıs goıng to work by car on Saturday and he can take me to the All Saints.

B: If your dad doesn't mind...

A: No problem. The more, the merrier, he always says. By the way, are you doıng anything tomorrow morning?
We could buy some present for them.

B: Good idea. We can get the bus to the Macy's Shopping Gallery. It departs at 9.35.

A: All right. See you at the bus stop. Bye.

B: Bye-bye.