Collins Cobuild English Grammar (89 page)

subordinate clauses

4.6
      This chapter deals only with the choice of tense in
main clauses
.

Sometimes, the point in time is not indicated by a time adverbial, but by a
subordinate clause
. Subordinate clauses of time are introduced by conjunctions that refer to time, such as
since
,
until
,
before
, and
after
.

For information about the tense of the verb in the subordinate clause, see paragraph
8.9
.

The present

4.7
      In situations where you are discussing an existing state of affairs, you use a verb that is in the present tense. Usually, the verb tense is sufficient to show that you are referring to the present. You normally only use a time adverbial for emphasis, or to refer to something that is unrelated to the present moment.

The present in general: the present simple

the present moment

4.8
      If you want to talk about your thoughts and feelings at the present moment, or about your immediate reactions to something, you use the
present simple
.

I’
m
awfully busy.
They both
taste
the same.
Gosh, he
looks
awful.
I
want
a breath of fresh air.

You can also use the present simple to talk about a physical feeling that is affecting you or someone else.

I
feel
heavy. I do. I
feel
drowsy.
My stomach
hurts
.

Note, however, that if you are talking about physical perceptions such as seeing and hearing, you normally use the modal
can
, although the present simple is occasionally used.

I
can see
the fishing boats coming in.
I
can smell
it. Can’t you?
I
see
a flat stretch of ground.
I
hear
approaching feet.

general present including present moment

4.9
      If you want to talk about a settled state of affairs that includes the present moment but where the particular time reference is not important, you use the present simple.

My dad
works
in Saudi Arabia.
He
lives
in the French Alps near the Swiss border.
He
is
a very good brother. We
love
him.
She’
s
a doctor’s daughter.
Meanwhile, Atlantic City
faces
another dilemma.

general truths

4.10
    If you want to say that something is always or generally true, you use the present simple.

Near the equator, the sun
evaporates
greater quantities of water.
A molecule of water
has
two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen.
A chemical reaction
occurs
in the fuel cell.

regular or habitual actions

4.11
    If you want to talk about something that a particular person or thing does regularly or habitually, you use the present simple.

Do
you
smoke
?
I
get up
early and
eat
my breakfast listening to the radio.

used in reviews

4.12
    You usually use the present simple when you are discussing what happens in a book, play, or film.

In the film he
plays
the central character of Charles Smithson.
In those early chapters, he
keeps
himself very much in the background.

USAGE NOTE

4.13
    You can use the present simple of the verb
say
when you are describing something you have read in a book.

The criminal justice system,
the author says
, has failed to keep pace with the drug problem.
The Bible says
love of money is the root of all evil.

used in commentaries

4.14
    On radio and television, commentators often use the present simple when they are describing an event such as a sports match or a ceremony at the time that it is happening.

He
turns
, he
shoots
, he
scores
!

used in reporting

4.15
    When you are reporting what someone said to you at a point in the recent past, you can use the present simple of a reporting verb such as
hear
or
tell
.

I’ve never been paragliding myself, but they
tell
me it’s a really exciting sport.
Tamsin’s a good cook,
I hear
.
Grace
says
you told her to come over here.

For more detailed information about reporting verbs, see
Chapter 7
.

used in commenting

4.16
    When you are commenting on what you are saying or doing, you use the present simple of a verb such as
admit
,
promise
,
reject
, or
enclose
. For more information on this type of verb, see paragraphs
7.64
to
7.67
.

This, I
admit
, was my favourite activity.
I
enclose
a small cheque which may come in handy.
I
leave
it for you to decide.

The present progressive

the moment of speaking

4.17
    If you want to talk about an activity that is in progress, you use the
present progressive
.

We’
re having
a meeting. Come and join in.
What
am
I
doing
? I’
m looking
out of the window.
My head
is aching
.
I’
m
already
feeling
tense.

emphasizing the present moment

4.18
    If you want to emphasize the present moment or to indicate that a situation is temporary, you use the present progressive.

Only one hospital, at Angal,
is functioning
.
We’
re trying
to create a more democratic society.
She’
s spending
the summer in Europe.
I’
m working
as a British Council Officer.

progressive change

4.19
    You also use the present progressive to talk about changes, trends, development, and progress.

The village
is changing
but it is still undisturbed.
His handwriting
is improving
.
World energy demand
is increasing
at a rate of about 3% per year.

habitual actions

4.20
    If you want to talk about a habitual action that takes place regularly, especially one that is new or temporary, you use the present progressive.

You’
re going
out a lot these days.
Do you know if she’
s
still
playing
these days?
She’
s seeing
a lot more of them.

Time adverbials with reference to the present

4.21
    You do not normally need to use an additional time adverbial with present forms of verbs, but you can add them in order to emphasize the immediate present or general present, or to contrast the present with the past or future.

They’re getting on quite well
at the moment
.
We’re safe
now
.
What’s the matter with you
today
, Marnie?
I haven’t got a grant
this year
.

general truths

4.22
    If you are using the present simple to talk about something that is always or generally true, you can reinforce or weaken your statement by using an adverb.

Babies
normally
lose weight in the beginning.
The attitude is
usually
one of ridicule.
Traditionally
, the Japanese prefer good quality clothes.

Here is a list of common adverbs that can be used to modify your statement in this way:

always

generally

mainly

normally

often

traditionally

usually

The use of the present simple to talk about general truths is explained in paragraph
4.10
.

regular actions

4.23
    When you use the present simple to say that an action takes place regularly, you can use an
adverbial of frequency
such as
often
or
sometimes
to be more specific about how often it happens.

Several groups meet
weekly
.
I visit her about
once every six months
.
It
seldom
rains there.
I
never
drink alone.

The use of the present simple to talk about regular activities is explained in paragraph
4.11
.