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Mastering the Simple Present Tense

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
8 views1 page

Mastering the Simple Present Tense

Uploaded by

lechi08092005
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

ELEMENTS OF GREAT WRITING

Using the Simple Present


The simple present is one way to discuss the present. It is very common in academic writing.
We use the simple present to describe:
• regular activities or habits
Dr. Jones begins his days by visiting patients.
Carla drinks two cups of coffee every day.
• facts or things that are generally true
Earth revolves around the Sun.
The people of Iceland are friendly and helpful.
• a process (how to make or do something)
Next, the artist prepares his materials.
Finally, the delicious meal is ready to serve.

ACTIVITY 1 | Analyzing sentences


Identify whether each sentence is describing a habit (H), fact (F), or process (P).

1. Boston, USA, has many colleges and universities.

2. After you finish your paragraph, you should edit it.

3. Water freezes at 0°C.

4. It is possible to build a camera with materials from your home in a few steps.

5. My mother often wears a beautiful pair of gold earrings.

6. One year on Neptune lasts about 165 Earth years.

7. Every weekday, Samantha drives to her English class.

8. Next, add milk and sugar to the coffee.

9. Arthur always eats popcorn when he watches a movie.

10. My laptop computer has a beautiful blue cover.

60 UNIT 3 • Writing about the Present

058-081_GW_SB1_U3.indd 60 05/09/18 6:23 PM

Common questions

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The simple present tense's role in expressing processes is justified by its ability to universally apply steps in a sequence, ensuring the process is easily followed, as exemplified by sentences like 'Finally, the delicious meal is ready to serve.' This contributes to readability by providing a direct and structured method for readers to engage with procedural content.

The simple present tense is utilized to describe a process by providing a step-by-step account of actions, exemplified by 'Next, the artist prepares his materials.' This usage is effective in academic contexts as it provides clarity and precision in procedural descriptions, allowing readers to follow and understand each step without temporal confusion.

The simple present tense helps maintain coherence in an academic document by providing a consistent temporal framework. Consistent use can enhance document readability and logical flow, enabling readers to follow arguments and processes linearly. This continuity supports clear communication of habitual actions and established truths.

Using the simple present tense to describe habits in personal narratives within an academic essay implies a level of regularity and routine that enriches the narrative with personal continuity. For example, 'Carla drinks two cups of coffee every day' suggests a stable, recurring action, thereby offering insights into character consistency and lifestyle.

The simple present tense is preferred when writing about scientific facts because it indicates permanence and universality. For instance, 'Earth revolves around the Sun' presents an unchanging scientific truth. This preference supports clear communication and standard understanding in scientific discourse.

The simple present tense describes regular activities or habits by indicating actions that are routinely performed, such as 'Dr. Jones begins his days by visiting patients' or 'Carla drinks two cups of coffee every day.' In academic writing, it is important because it conveys consistency and reliability, which are key in presenting habitual actions and established facts.

Using the simple present tense to express general truths enhances the credibility of an academic paper by anchoring claims in universally recognized facts, such as 'Earth revolves around the Sun.' This tense establishes the author's statements as stable and reliable, lending authority to the argument presented.

The significance of the simple present tense in expository writing lies in its ability to convey ideas with clarity and precision. By using present tense verbs to describe facts and processes, such as 'Next, the artist prepares his materials,' writers ensure that the information is straightforward and timeless, which is crucial for effective explanation and understanding.

The use of simple present tense affects the tone and presentation of factual information by fostering a tone of objectivity and universality. For example, factual statements like 'The people of Iceland are friendly and helpful' provide directness and authenticity, presenting information as stable facts rather than subjective opinions.

Using the simple present tense contributes to stating facts or general truths by expressing observations and universally accepted concepts, such as 'Earth revolves around the Sun.' These statements do not change over time, making them appropriate for conveying stable concepts in academic contexts. Another example is 'The people of Iceland are friendly and helpful,' which indicates a general perception or stereotype.

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