Using the present simple and continuous
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Using the present simple tense | page 3 of 6 |
Timeless use: With actions and events
In clauses representing actions or events, the present simple tense typically refers to actions or events that happen regularly or always happen. This is often referred to as "timeless reference" or "the timeless present" , because the actions or events are not located at any specific past, present or future time. The present simple tense is commonly used in this way to talk about:
habits or
actions which people do regularly:
I usually do a few jobs for him in the house. (Bank of English)
His three sisters sometimes help in the shop. (SCMP 9/7/92)
They often come in for half an hour, have coffee with the head and then go home again. (Bank of English)
Protesters voluntarily dispose of rubbish and clean the floor every day. (SCMP 7/8/92)
events which take place according to
a schedule or timetable:
A bus leaves the terminus every 15 minutes.
Classes finish at 3.30 every afternoon.
events which are governed by natural
laws:
Water freezes at zero degrees centigrade.The water evaporates and rises into the air to form clouds.
As these examples show, in describing actions or events that happen regularly, the
present simple tense is often used together with an adverbial 
such as usually, sometimes, often, every
day 
and every 15 minutes.
If you would like to see a teaching activity for Secondary 1 - 2 which gives students
practice in using the present simple tense to ask and answer questions about daily
routines, click on
YOUR DAY.
Introduction
Timeless use: With actions and events
