General English
Be Successful
The Present Indefinite Tense —Habitual Action
(A) This tense is generally used to denote ‘habit, custom, practice, repeated action, permanent activity, general truth’ etc. These ideas are expressed by the adverbs of frequency such as ‘often, seldom, usually, never, occasionally, sometimes, normally, generally, always, frequently, rarely, daily’.
For example:
(i) The old lady goes for a walk in the morning.
(ii) Pearl usually believes everybody.
(iii) Arnav often gets late for lunch.
(iv) Suhani always comes in time.
(v) Shaurya seldom gets up late.
(B) This tense is also used to make a statement in the present showing permanent nature and activity of the subject and eternal principles.
For example:
(i) I know him well.
(ii) He teaches in St. Xavier College.
(iii) The cow gives milk.
(iv) Rivers freeze at high altitude.
Additional Uses of Present Indefinite Tense
Historical Present
(i) Now Netaji enters and addresses the Indian soldiers.
(ii) Now Arjun shoots arrows at Bhishma.
Future Arrangement
(i) The Prime Minister arrives from New York tomorrow.
(ii) He leaves his job next week.
