Present Tense : General Truth

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General Truths

Occurrences in nature

Fact vs. Observation

GENERAL TRUTH — FACT
The simple present tense is used to state fact, how things exist or behave. Few if any adverbs are used.
The earth turns 360º every day. (fact) The earth changes because of the surrounding solar system. (permanent5
The oceans are deep and cold. The oceans move in circular currents.
The land moves on plates. Earthquakes occur often.
The north and south poles are covered with ice. Polar bears struggle to survive in the arctic climate.
Wind blows across the land. Wind comes from differences in air pressure.
Rain gives water to life. Rain falls in the winter.
Plants grow in soil. Plants give us oxygen.
People depend on earth's resources. People exercise for good health. (in general)
Time passes quickly. Daylight Savings time begins in spring.

GENERAL TRUTH — FACT

The simple present tense is used to state fact, how things exist or behave. Few if any adverbs are used.

The earth turns 360º every day. (fact)

The earth changes because of the surrounding solar system. (permanent5

The oceans are deep and cold.

The oceans move in circular currents.

The land moves on plates.

Earthquakes occur often.

The north and south poles are covered with ice.

Polar bears struggle to survive in the arctic climate.

Wind blows across the land.

Wind comes from differences in air pressure.

Rain gives water to life.

Rain falls in the winter.

Plants grow in soil.

Plants give us oxygen.

People depend on earth's resources.

People exercise for good health. (in general)

Time passes quickly.

Daylight Savings time begins in spring.

OBSERVATION — AT THE MOMENT
The present progressive tense is used to state an observation such as an action happening at the moment or a temporary change from the usual.
The earth is turning right now as we speak. (observation) The earth is changing due to global warming. (a change from the usual)
The oceans are warming. (a change from the usual) The currents are moving farther north.
The plates are constantly moving. Earthquakes are occurring more frequently.
The polar ice is melting at a surprising rate. Polar bears are struggling to survive as the ice melts
The wind is blowing umbrellas backwards. The wind is coming from the north.
This rain is giving us the water we need. Rain is falling on my head. (observation)
My plants are growing well. (observation) These plants are giving me a lot of trouble.
These people are running for good health. (observation) Some people are wearing silly costumes. (observation)
Time is passing slowly as I do my homework. Daylight Savings Time is ending this weekend.

OBSERVATION — AT THE MOMENT

The present progressive tense is used to state an observation such as an action happening at the moment or a temporary change from the usual.

The earth is turning right now as we speak. (observation)

The earth is changing due to global warming. (a change from the usual)

The oceans are warming. (a change from the usual)

The currents are moving farther north.

The plates are constantly moving.

Earthquakes are occurring more frequently.

The polar ice is melting at a surprising rate.

Polar bears are struggling to survive as the ice melts

The wind is blowing umbrellas backwards.

The wind is coming from the north.

This rain is giving us the water we need.

Rain is falling on my head. (observation)

My plants are growing well. (observation)

These plants are giving me a lot of trouble.

These people are running for good health. (observation)

Some people are wearing silly costumes. (observation)

Time is passing slowly as I do my homework.

Daylight Savings Time is ending this weekend.

Adverbs

For Simple Present Tense

Present Adverbs

PRESENT – ADVERBS
Present tense uses more permanent time words (adverbs).
We plant tomatoes in May in general.
As a rule, we put the plants in four-inch holes in the ground.
We normally water the garden every other day.
We usually pick the tomatoes first.

PRESENT PROGRESSIVE – ADVERBS
Present progressive uses more temporary, happening-now time words (adverbs).
We are planting tomatoes today.
We are putting the tomato plants in the ground now.
We are watering the garden currently.
We are picking the tomatoes this week.

Sentence Types

Word Order

AUXILIARY VERB	SUBJECT	AUXILIARY VERB	MAIN VERB	ADVERB	CLAUSE
STATEMENT
	He (She)		plants	in the spring.
	They (I, We, You)		plant	in the spring.
QUESTION
Does	he (she)		plant	in the spring?
Do	they (I, we, you)		plant	in the spring?
* TAG QUESTION
	He (She)		plants	in the spring,	doesn't he?
	They (I, We, You)		plant	in the spring,	don't they?
NEGATIVE
	He (She)	doesn't	plant	in the spring.
	They (I, We, You)	don't	plant	in the spring.
EMPHASIS
	He (She)	does	plant	in the spring!
	They (I, We, You)	do	plant	in the spring!

*A tag question can also occur with a negative main sentence and a positive final question: They don't plant in the spring, do they? See And so / too.
Useemphasis word order when contradicting or stating that the opposite is true: "I think they don't plant in the spring." "No, they do plant in the spring."

Related page: 3rd Person Agreement

Common Mistakes

Errors & Solutions

ERROR	SOLUTION
*The wind is blowing during the winter.	The wind blows during the winter. ( The progressive verb is not used with during.)
*The earth is spinning faster than Mars.	The earth spins faster than Mars. (The progressive verb is not used for a permanent state.)

*Yellowhighlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.

Grammar Notes

Traditional Grammar and Linguistic Description

Traditional vs. Modern Sentence Diagramming

TRADITIONAL SYSTEM	CURRENT LINGUISTIC DESCRIPTION
The Reed-Kellogg system diagrams a sentence on a horizontal line. Subject: article: the, noun: wind \| Predicate: verb: is \ adjective: strong	The tree diagram (linguistics) separates the parts of a sentence with brackets /\ . Clause; Subject / Predicate; NP –noun phrase; N – noun; VP – verb phrase; V – verb; Det – determiner

CATEGORIES: NP –noun phrase; N – noun; VP – verb phrase; V – verb; Det – determiner; PP – prepositional phrase; P – preposition; AdvP – adverb phrase; Adv – adverb; AdjP– adjective phrase; Adj – adjective

FUNCTIONS: Subject: Subject, Predicate: Predicator (V) Complements: (elements required by verb) Object, Indirect Object, Predicative Complement Adjuncts: (optional modifiers) Adj, Adv

Practice

Fact vs. Observation

Present Tense – nonprogressive vs. progressive

Select the verb form from the menu that best completes the sentence.
Compare your response to the answer by clicking the check button to the left or the "Check 1-8" button at the bottom.