1. Permanent truths and facts

We use the present simple to talk about​​ permanent truths​​ and​​ facts.

 Water​​ boils​​ at 100 degrees.

Cats​​ have​​ four legs.

The sun​​ rises​​ on the east

2. Situations in the present

We use the present simple to talk about​​ situations in the present.

 I​​ work​​ in a bank.

Peter​​ lives​​ in London.

She​​ likes​​ cats.

3. Regular, repeated activity

We use the present simple to talk about​​ a regular, repeated activity.

 I​​ get up​​ at 7am.

 She​​ works​​ from 9am to 5pm.

We use adverbs to say​​ how often​​ we do things:​​ 

4. Referring to the future

We use the present simple to refer to the​​ future,​​ especially to talk about​​ timetables.

 The plane​​ arrives​​ at 10 am.

The concert​​ starts​​ at 9pm.

For more detailed information, check out the unit titles ‘Future time clauses’.

5. Clauses of time and condition

We use the present simple​​ in​​ clauses of time​​ and​​ conditions​​ referring to a point in the future.

It is used after:​​ when, if, unless, before, after, until, as soon as, whenever, etc.​​ 

 I will give him the book when I​​ see​​ him.

If it​​ rains, we will say at home.

As soon as we​​ arrive​​ home, I will make dinner.

The bus​​ leaves​​ at 4.15pm.

6. Observations and declarations

We use the present simple to talk about​​ observations​​ and​​ declarations.

We use​​ state verbs​​ to express sentiments, states and thoughts (not activities).

I​​ hope​​ he arrives on time.

Jonathan​​ likes​​ chocolate.

I​​ agree​​ with you.

7. Instructions

We can use the present simple to give​​ instructions.

You​​ heat​​ the oil and​​ fry​​ the meat.

You​​ turn​​ left at the second street.

You​​ mix​​ the flour with the sugar.

8. Sports commentaries, news headlines

We use the present simple in​​ sports commentaries​​ and​​ newspaper headlines.

Ronaldo​​ passes​​ the ball to Beckham.

And Smith​​ takes​​ the ball and​​ hands​​ it to Frank.

Ford​​ dismisses​​ 500 workers.