Uses of the simple present tense

We have already learned that the simple present tense is used to talk about your routine activities or habits. It has several other uses, too.
Jobs, hobbies, habits, interests etc.

You can use the simple present tense to talk about people’s jobs, hobbies, likes, dislikes etc.

Read the sentences given below.

Jobs

• Anita writes plays for television.
• Does Anita write poems?
• No, Anita doesn’t write poems.
• What does Anita write?
• Anita writes plays for television.
• My sister works at a nationalized bank.
• Where does my sister work? Does she work at a school?
• No, she does not work at a school. She works at a nationalized bank.

Habits

• My father drinks coffee in the morning.
• What does my father drink in the morning?
• Does he drink tea in the morning?
• No, he doesn’t drink tea in the morning. He drinks coffee.
• I read the newspaper every morning.
• What do I do every morning?
• Do I watch television in the morning?
• No, I don’t watch television in the morning. I read the newspaper instead.

Likes and dislikes

• My daughter likes to play with her dolls.
• What does my daughter like to do? Does she like to play hide and seek?
• No, she does not like to play hide and seek. She likes to play with her dolls.
• My son does not eat vegetables, but he likes fruits.
• Does my son eat vegetables? No, he doesn’t.
• Does he eat fruits? Yes, he eats fruits.
• Maya collects coins. She does not collect stamps.
• Does Maya collect stamps? No, she doesn’t.
• Does Maya collect coins? Yes, she does.

Suggested activity

Frame as many sentences as you can about your job, hobbies, interests etc. Once you have formed the sentences, try to change them into  questions using do or does.

General truths

The simple present tense is used to talk about things that are true all the time.

Read the sentences given below.

• Heat melts ice.

This is a general truth. If you heat ice, it melts. That’s why we use the simple present tense here.

• Birds fly.
• Fire burns.
• The wind blows.
• Cats chase mice.
• The sun rises in the east.
• Heat expands bodies.
• Most flowers smell sweet.
• Honey tastes sweet.
• Children rush about.
• Parents look after their kids.
• Plants need water and sunlight.