aka Present Indicative

Written by Qualified French Expert Aurélie Drouard HKH, Licence d'anglais LLCE

Last updated: 2019-02-28

The English simple present tense is the most common way of expressing present time, such as

• facts
• actions taking place once, never or several times
• actions taking place one after another
• actions set by a timetable or schedule (i.e. habits, routine)

The following words typically signal the use of the simple present:

• always
• every...
• if
• never
• normally
• often
• seldom
• sometimes
• usually

For example

• Affirmative
  • I seldom walk.
  • He often walks.
• Negative
  • We don't usually walk.
  • She doesn't walk either.
• Interrogative
• Do you ever walk?
• Does she walk sometimes?

The Simple Present can also express future time. For example:

• The train leaves at 2 o'clock.
• It is my birthday on Sunday.
• If I hear any news, I'll let you know.