Subject + base verb
| Examples: | I walk | They run | |
| You kill | He/ she/ it waits* | ||
| We eat | *Note: add -s to the verb when the subject is he, she, or it. If the verb ends in -y, change the -y to an -i and add -es. |
Rules
Use present simple when explaining how something is or usually is. More specifically, present simple is used for:
1. Facts
- Gravity prevents us from floating around.
2. General truths and stereotypes
- Doctors are treated with more respect than educators.
3. Common occurrences
- Students often ignore teachers after a big lunch.
4. Habits
- I pull my hair when marking tests.
5. Feelings and preferences
- I enjoy holidays. I don’t really like the stress of work. I prefer holidays to work stress.
6. Discussing or reviewing literature
- In Catch 22, Joseph Heller illustrates the illogical chasm that occasionally forms between reality and practicability.