3. THE PRESENT TENSE
USE/FUNCTION
We use the simple present to describe permanent states or repeated actions, events that happen every day or every week or every month or every year.
Water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius. (permanent)
I take a blood sample from the fish every week. (repeated action)
He goes to the fish farm every day.
But when we want to ask a question, or make a negative statement the form of the simple present changes.
We cannot say "Speak you German?" and answer "I speak not German, I speak French".
When we ask a question , in the simple present tense, we must use a different form, with the auxiliary verb 'do'.
And when we answer the question in the negative, we must use the negative form of the present simple.
Do you speak German? No, I do not speak German, I speak French.
Does he speak Greek? No, he does not speak Greek, but he speaks French.
We nearly always use the short form, 'don't' and 'doesn't' in speech.
I don't take blood samples every day.
He doesn't go to the fish farm every day.
Don't you see the bucket with food beside the circular tank?
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