PRESENT SIMPLE

ASPECTS OF TIME CONTEXT EXAMPLES

ALL or ANY TIME Not separated from the present Paint contains a certain amount of lead.
Distinct from the past
The speaker may be thinking either of an
activity that continues throughout the I live in the country.
THE PRESENT PERIOD period.
The speaker may be thinking either of a
whole series of acts performed We all speak English at home.
throughout the period.
This tape-recorder is easy to work. Watch what I do. I
THE PRESENT Momentary acts
switch it on, press the button and it starts.
MOMENT
Momentary present I (always) switch off all the lights before I go to bed.
I declare the meeting open. (formal remark by the
Chairman)
THE PRESENT
Declarations I pronounce you man and wife. (at a wedding ceremony)
MOMENT
We gladly accept your offer. (declaration of acceptance)
I wish you all a very happy New Year.
Mr. X will telephone you as soon as he returns.
FUTURE TIME In temporal and conditional clauses The police will take your car away if you park it there.
The meeting will be held out of doors unless it rains.
EARTHQUAKE ROCKS NICARAGUA
In newspaper headlines; sometimes in
Tom stands up on the coach and looks back at his
PAST TIME narrative and usually in the synopsis of a
father’s figure.
novel or play
That night Romeo sees Juliet alone on her balcony.