Unit 2. Present simple (I do)

We use the present simple to talk about things in general. We are not thinking only about now.

We use it to say that something happens all the time or repeatedly, or that something is true in general.

It is not important whether the action is happening at the time of speaking.

• Nurses look after patients in hospitals.
• I usually go away at weekend.
• The earth goes round the sun.

We use the present simple when we say how often we do things

• I get up at 8 o'clock every morning. ( not I'm doing )
• How often do you go to the dentist? (not How often are you going?)
• Ann doesn't drink tea very often.

I promise / I aplogise

Sometimes we do things by saying something. For example, when you promise to do something, you can say 'I promise ... ' ; when you suggest something, you can say 'I suggest ... '. We use the present simple (promise/suggest) in sentences like this:

• I promise I won't be late. (not I'm promising)
• What do you suggest I do? / I suggest that you ...

In the same way we say : I apologise... / I advise ... / I insist ... / I agree ... / I refuse ... etc.