Presente Simple

Present simple – USES and Structure

Today we are going to focus on the present simple tense. Please, if this is your first time learning the present simple tense please go to the Basic Level Lesson (Lesson 10a / Lesson 10b). We are going to focus on the USES of the present simple tense and check on the common errors.

Present Simple USES – (¿Cuándo utilizamos el “present simple”?)

Do you know when to use the present simple tense? If you answer this question clearly then you are relating it to a context or situation. This means that you can USE the tense more naturally and this will help your fluency. If you have problems then it is important to discuss the uses of the present simple tense in detail.

***Para aprender inglés ustedes tienen que dejar de ver la gramática como una formula o estructura. Necesitan saber en que situaciones usarla ya que esto es el objetivo final. De nada sirve saber las reglas gramaticales sin saber cuáles son sus usos comunicativos. Veamos entonces en que contextos usamos el “present simple”.

We use the present simple in the following situations:

1) General truths and current information. (Hechos e Información actual)

When we want to talk about something that is always true then we can use the present simple. Let’s look at these examples:

- Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.

- Peru is in South America.

- Two plus two equals four.

These actions are always true. The information does not vary. We can also use the present simple for current information. The verb to be is very useful to express these situations.

- I am thirty one years old.

- My brother is a Dentist

- Sheila has three children.

2) Routines and habits

Whenever you want to express something that you usually do please remember to use the present simple. We use this tense to express actions that form part of a routine.

- Miguel gets up at about 6:00am. (This happens constantly)

- Pedro doesn’t have breakfast. (It is not part of his routine)

- I smoke about ten cigarrttes a day. (It is a habit)

We can use the Adverbs of Frequency to help up emphasis a routine. (IR A LECCION 13 BASICO)

- How often do you go dancing? – I sometimes go dancing.

Remember: DO NOT USE THE PRESENT SIMPLE TO DESCRIBE AN ACTION THAT IS HAPPENING NOW

Structure:

Look at the following table: TABLE #1:

Verb to be Other verbs

She is my friend She works for IBM

They are married They live in Miami

I’m a teacher I play tennis

Pedro isn’t sad Pedro doesn’t like playing tennis.

They aren’t brothers They don’t live together

Are they single? Do they play guitar?

Is he your friend? Does he study English?

Can

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