§ 2. The use of the Present Indefinite.

The Present Indefinite is used to denote:

1. permanent states, customary and repeated actions and daily routines. This is its most characteristic use.

e.g. He works in a bank. (permanent state)

He takes the train to work every morning. (daily routine/repeated actions)

The repeated character of the action is often shown by adverbials such as often, usually, every day/week, sometimes, rarely/ seldom, always, on Mondays, in the evening, once a week, etc.

2. Actions and states characterizing a given person.

e.g. She has many accomplishments: she sings and plays the piano beautifully.

3.universal truths and laws of nature, something which is eternally true.

e.g. Magnet attracts iron.

The earth rotates round its axis.

4. actions going on at the present moment (with verbs not used in the Continuous form).

e.g. I see George in the street. Tell him to come in.

I hear somebody knock. Go and open the door.

5. a future action:

(a) in adverbial clauses of time and condition after the conjunctions when, till, until, before, after, as soon as, as long as, unless, on condition that, provided.

e.g. Robert, will you mend me a pen or two before you go? (Ch. Bronte)

I promise not to try to see Robert again till he asks for me. (Ch. Bronte)

Not! It should be borne in mind that this use of the Present Indefinite occurs only in adverbial clauses of time and condition. In object and attributive clauses introduced by when the Future Indefinite is used.

e.g. I wonder when he will give us an answer.

We are impatiently awaiting the day when our friends will return from their long journey.

(b) with verbs of motion, such as to go, to come, to leave, etc. The future action is regarded as something fixed - timetables (planes, trains, etc.) and programmes.

e.g. The train leaves at 10 to-morrow.

We find the same phenomenon in Ukrainian.

Він відїжджає завтра.

Наступної неділі ми ідемо в театр.

6. sports commentaries, reviews and narration.

a) Peterson overtakes Williams and wins the race. (sports commentary)

b) Mike Dalton plays the part of Macbeth. (review)

c) Then the prince gets on his horse and quickly rides away. (narration)

Ex.

Comment on the use of the Present Simple in the following sentences.

1. Wisdom comes with age. 2. There is a reason for everything. Nothing falls from heaven. 3. — Do you believe in miracles? — I do. 4. Palermo is the capital of Sicily. 5. No one in this world is perfect. 6. Students buy a 1ot of books at the beginning of each term. 7.1 think that English Grammar is easy. 8. Frank has a good head for figures. 9. A cat purrs when it is pleased, but a dog waves its tail. 10. That's the way it usually happens. 11. The client is always right. 12. I often sleep with the window open. 13. My mother doesn't like it when we play in the street. 14. The beauty of the Internet is that you can get virtually anything that your heart desires. 15. Every generation has its way. 16.1 watch evening news every day. 17. — Do you have a sweet tooth? — Yes, several.

Ex. 1

Give the form of the 3^rd person singular of the Present Indefinite.

Example: to write – he writes

to live – to miss – to play – to work – to wash – to cry – to fix -

to watch – to tie – to say – to run – to try – to jump – to judge -

to lie – to fry – to mix – to kiss – to offer – to stay – to go -

to do – to study – to die – to refer – to furnish – to hit – to laugh -

Ex. 2.

Write descriptions for the following jobs.

Example: a pianist - A pianist is a person who plays the piano.

1. A barman or barmaid. 2. A violinist. 3. A bus driver. 4. A forester. 5. A broadcaster. 6. An actor or actress. 7. A journalist. 8. An (air) steward or stewardess. 9. A housewife. 10. A policeman or policewoman. 11. An electrician. 12. A carpenter. 13. A writer. 14. A gardener. 15. A teacher. 16. A computer programmer. 17. An economist.

Ex.

Use the right form of the verbs in brackets.

I. Human relationships (be) never static. They (change) from day to day, because they are highly complex and also because people (be) changeable. And life (intrude). Problems (intrude) and (create) tensions.

11. Whenever my mother (face) difficulties, she always (say) to me, "Vanny, life (take) care of itself and a lot of other things as well. And it usually (take) a turn for the best. So let things (work) themselves out in their own time." That (be) always her philosophy, I think.

III. Power is the most potent of weapons, probably more so than money. Power, not money, (talk). Money (be) only important when you (be) truly poor, when you need it for a roof over your head, for food and clothes. Once you have those essentials and go beyond them, money (be) simply a tool to work with. And not ever (let) anyone persuade you that power (corrupt). It not always (do) so, only when those with power (do) anything to hold on to that power. Sometimes it can even be ennobling.

Ex. 3.

Put the verbs in brackets into the appropriate form.

A.

1. Britain (to have) very strict laws about bringing animals into the country, but every year many people (to try) to import animals illegally. 2. The swimming bath (to open) at 9.00 and (to close) at 18.30 every day. 3. I have a car but I (not to use) it very often. 4. How many cigarettes (you/to smoke) a day? 5. “Where (your father/to come) from?” – “He (to come) from Wales”. 6. Water (to boil) at 100 degrees. 7. Nearly all farmers in this country (to care) about plants and wild animal conservation. 8. If you need money, why (you/not to get) a job? 9. What time (the banks/close) in Britain? 10. Rice (not to grow) in Europe. 11. “What (you/do)?” – “I’m an electrical engineer”. 12. I (not to know) anybody who (to enjoy) filling in Value Added Tax forms.

B.

1. This man (know) from his experience what it (mean). 2. Nothing (happen) by accident. 3. As man (grow) older, he (tend) to be more sceptical. 4. My mother often (tell) me that you not (leave) your problems behind you when you (go) to another place. Pain and heartache (travel) well. And indeed they (do). 5. Mrs. Osborne (own) this business, and she (run) it herself. 6. He (be) a complete mystery to me. 7. What he (do) for a living? 8. In Rome every building (tell) its own story. 9. When the weather (heat) up and you (need) to cool down, a lake, a river, a pool — is what your body and soul (need). 10. My great-grandmother is very old, but she (hear, see and understand) everything quite well. 11.1 (remember) that Margaret (own) a villa on the Adriatic. 12. "The Bible (say) that the heart of man is exceedingly wicked," the Pastor replied.

Ex.

Translate into English.

1. Твой друг — это человек, который знает о тебе все и тем не менее любит тебя. 2. После печали прихо­дит радость. 3. Он любит лежать на диване и смот­реть телевизор. Он лежебока (a couch potato). 4. Все авнсит от того, как он видит свое будущее. 5. — Ребенок хорошо спит по ночам, мамаша? — Да, хорошо, он просыпается один или два раза. 6. Он наши звонки, потому что не хочет выполнять эту ь, боту. 7. Тот, кто говорит, что деньги не могут купить счастья, просто не знает, где делать покупки. 8. Не волнуйтесь, мы уже здесь. 9. Он видит жизнь та как она есть. 10. Деньги не растут на деревьях, трудно добывать. 11. Все уже знают эти новость 12. Кто знает, какая сейчас погода в Лондоне? 13 забыла, где он живет. 14. Мы слышали, что он чувствует себя гораздо лучше. 15. Этот словарь предлагает точную и подробную информацию об английское языке. 16. — У вас много друзей? — Не очень, а у вас много друзей? 17. — Ты ведь обычно обедаешь не так ли? — Это так. 18. Мой сосед охотится на диких гусей и уток. 19. Каждый день приносит нам массу новых сведений. 20. В Калифорнии никогда не идет снег, не так ли? 21. Иногда в Москве зимой идет дождь.

Ех.

A. Read the following proverbs and sayings and give their Russian equivalents.

1. A stitch in time saves nine. 2. A liar is not believed when he speaks the truth. 3. A good wife makes a god husband. 4. A man is known by the company he keeps 5. A lawyer never goes to law himself. 6. A civil question deserves a civil answer. 7. Time heals all wounds. 8. takes three generations to make a gentleman. 9. He calb a goose a swan. 10. The more a man knows the modest he is. 11. An apple a day keeps wrinkles away 12. Big fish eat little fish. 13. He laughs best who la last. 14. He who laughs last, laughs longest.

B. Give the English equivalents for the following.

1. В чужой монастырь со своим уставом не ходят. 2. Насильно мил не будешь. 3. Ум хорошо, а два лучше. 4. Свет клином на нем не сошелся. 5. Клиент всегда прав. б. Что легко приходит, то легко уходит (Как пришло, так и ушло.) 7. С миру по нитке. 8. Крайности сходятся. 9. За добро добром платят. 10. История по­вторяется. 11. Хорошо смеется тот, кто смеется пос­ледним. 12. Горбатого могила исправит. 13. Жизнь начинается в сорок лет. 14. Деньги делают деньги. 15. Новая метла по-новому метет.

Ех

Read the following just for fun and then retell it.

A sure sign that a person is English is that he or she:

1. treats anybody foreign with suspicion.

2. never leaves home without an umbrella.

3. has little sense of rhythm.

4. understands the rules of cricket.

5. is still mentally at war with Germany, France, Scotland, the American colonies, the Danes, the Celts, the Vikings, the Romans.

6. thinks the weather is a more exciting topic of conversation than baseball.

7. doesn't expect any form of public transport to run on time.

8. thinks sarcasm is the highest form of wit.

9. thinks France begins and ends at the Calais hyper­market.

10. hasn't been to the Millennium Dome.

11. on holiday in Spain, searches for a bar that serves fish and chips.

12. has a proverb to cover any eventuality.

Ex.

Translate into English.

1. Кто говорит, что жизнь скучна? Только не я! 2. Жизнь продолжается. 3. Когда мне плохо, то луч­шее лекарство для меня — Моцарт или Вивальди. 4. Что бы ни случилось, мой босс никогда не теряет хладнокровия (to lose one's cool). 5. Он всегда помо­гает людям советами и деньгами. 6. — В мае в Мос­кве иногда идет снег. — Да, погода преподносит нам сюрпризы. 7. Эти телевизионные новости дают точ­ные и верные сведения. 8. Ветреная погода сводит меня с ума. 9. О таких вещах прямо не говорят.

10. Когда температура поднимается, влажность обычно падает. 11. Цемент состоит из смеси глины и хь микатов. 12. Мне нравится, когда ты носишь эту розовую блузку. 13. Все, что ты делаешь, зависит от тебя. 14. Он очень мудр: все слышит, все видит, все понимает, всегда дает хорошие советы. 15. Каждое лето Олег ездит в экспедицию и привозит много находок.

Ex.

Look at each underlined verb and say what kind of meaning it expresses. Is it a thought, a feeling, a fact or a repeated action?

e.g. Matthew loves sport. – a feeling

Sarah often works late at the office. – a repeated action

1. I hate quiz programmes.

2. We play table tennis every Thursday.

3. The computer belongs to Emma.

4. These plates cost £20 each.

5. I believe it's the right thing to do.

6. I'm hungry. I want something to eat.

Ex.

Complete the sentences by putting in the verbs. Use the present simple. You have to decide if the verb is positive or negative.

Ex. Claire is very sociable. She knows (know) lots of people.

We've got plenty of chairs, thanks. We don't want (want) any more.

1. My friend is finding life in Paris a bit difficult. He … (speak) French.

2. Most students live quite close to the college, so they … (walk) there.

3. My sports kit is really muddy. This shirt … (need) a good wash.

4. I've got four cats and two dogs. I … (love) animals.

5. No breakfast for Mark, thanks. He … (eat) breakfast.

6. What's the matter? You … (look) very happy.

7. Don't try to ring the bell. It … (work).

8. I hate telephone answering machines. I just … (like) talking to them.

9. Matthew is good at badminton. He … (win) every game.

10. We always travel by bus. We … (own) a car.

Ex.

Complete the conversation. Put in the present simple forms.

Rita: Do you like (you / like) football, Tom?

Tom: / love (I / love) it. I'm a United fan. (1) … (I/go) to all their games.

Nick usually (2) … (come) with me. And (3) … we / travel) to away games, too.

Why (4) … (you / not / come) to a match some time?

Rita: I'm afraid football (5) … (not / make) sense to me — men running after a ball.

Why (6) … (you / take) it so seriously?

Tom: It's a wonderful game. (7) … (I / love) it. United are my whole life.

Rita: How much (8) … (it / cost) to buy the tickets and pay for the travel?

Tom: A lot. (9) … (I / not / know) exactly how much. But (10) … (that / not / matter) to

me. (11) … (I / not / want) to do anything else. (12) … (that / annoy) you?

Rita: No, (13) … (it / not / annoy) me. I just (14) … (find) it a bit sad.

Ex. 4.

Ask if the following is true. Express surprise or doubt and disagree with the remark.

Example: He speaks German well. (French) –

A: Does he speak French well?

B: Oh, no, he doesn’t speak French well, he speaks German well.

1. Tom White looks like his mother’s father. (father’s mother) 2. Vera Gilbert usually has her lunch in the kitchen. (dining-room) 3. It rains little in Scotland. (Tunisia) 4. They go to the pictures every week. (to the theatre) 5. People here usually work on Saturdays. (on Sundays) 6. My secretary comes in time as a rule. (late) 7. We meet external auditors at 5 o’clock. (at 4) 8. Heavy industry is the backbone of Jamaica’s economy. (agriculture) 9. Mr. Bruce farms sheep and produces meat and wool. (cows; dairy) 10. Coffee represents approximately 99 % of Uganda’s export. (soyabeans) 11. The US News and World Report rank third in news magazine circulation. (fourth) 12. The millionaire Mortimer Zuckerman is a backer of Senator Hart. (the existing President).

Ex. 22

Complete the quotations with the verbs in the box using only the Pr. Simple:

Come do(twice) get happen hate (twice) Make sing start teach wait wash

1. He who can, _. He who cannot, _. G B Shaw

2. It’s not that I’m afraid to die. I just don’t want to be there when it _. Woody Allen

3. He’s fanatically tidy. After he takes a bath, he _ the soap. Hugh Leonard

4. Opera is when a guy _ knifed in the back and, instead of bleeding, he _. Ed Gardner

5. Never marry a man who _ his mother; he’ll end up hating you. Jill Bennett

6. The brain is a wonderful organ. It _ working the moment you get up in the morning, and it _ not stop until you go to the office. Robert Frost

7. A man who _ whisky and _ kids can’t be all bad. W C Fields

8. The man who _ no mistakes doesn’t usually make anything. E J Phelps

9. Everything _ to him _. Traditional

Ex. 5.

Ask a) general questions; b) special questions on the words in bold type.

1. Great Britain lies in the eastern part of the Atlantic Ocean. 2. The sea surrounds the British Isles. 3. The presence of the sea makes climate warmer in winter and cooler in summer. 4. A branch of the Gulf Stream comes to the west coast of the British Isles. 5. The sea washes away from the coasts some of the soil. 6. The coast of England contains many good harbours. 7. The sea round about the shores of England abounds in fish. 8. Fishermen catch fish by means of nets. 9. When the net is drawn in, it generally contains very much fish. 10. A lighthouse guides ships and warns them of danger.

Ex. 6.

Open the brackets using the Present Indefinite tense.

1. The Strait of Dover (to separate) the British Isles from the continent. 2. The chief English rivers not (to flow) rapidly. 3. The Thames (to begin) only nine miles from the eastern bank of the Severn. 4. The west wind sometimes (to give) rise to the danger of flooding. 5. If you (to go) to the west of the Pennine Chain, you will enter the most beautiful part of England, the Lake District. 6. Where (to lie) the beautiful lake Windermere? 7. The most northerly town of England, Berwick (to stand) at the mouth of the Tweed. 8. When you (to be) in London, take as many photos as you can. 9. The ship “Baltica” (to leave) for London in a few days. 10. I was listening in last night. Suddenly the bell (to ring) and I (to hear) my friend’s voice: “Hurray! I am going to England!”. 11. What one (to use) if one is short-sighted?

Ex. 7.

Translate into English using the Present Indefinite.

A

1. У нас в сім’ї немає нікого, кого б ми називали головою сім’ї, хоча поради та думка мого батька – дуже важливі при прийнятті будь-яких рішень. Мій дядько Тоні старший за мого батька, тому, я думаю, він – справжній голова сім’ї. Мій дідусь з бабусею ще живі. І коли ми до них приїжджаємо, він любить думати, що уся сім’ї зосереджується навколо нього, але у нас все по-іншому. Ми всі намагаємося обговорювати речі разом, коли ми зустрічаємося.

2. В більшості сімей в одному будинку живе маленька група: мати, батько і діти, до того як вони одружаться. Але якщо або дідусь, або бабуся вмирає, то інший, зазвичай, продає свій будинок і переїжджає до своїх дітей. Отож, коли бабуся або дідусь живе з вами – це нормально.

3. У Франції більшість дітей залишають домівку, коли вони одружуються, а не раніше. Але деякі хочуть жити незалежно від батьків і вони знаходять квартиру щойно вони йдуть на першу роботу, навіть до того, як вони одружуються.

4. – “Хто ця нова дівчина в нашій компанії?” – „Це Марта Нельсон.” – „Звідки вона?” – „Кажуть, з Каліфорнії.” – „Невже? Я ж також з Каліфорнії. Ти не знаєш, з якого вона міста?” – „На жаль, не знаю, але зате знаю, чим Марта займається. Вона вивчає право в нашому університеті.”

5. – „Я спізнююсь на наукову конференцію, яка відкривається сьогодні о другій годині в Лондоні. Коли відправляється найближчий літак на Лондон?” – „Найближчий рейс тільки в 14.25, але ви не хвилюйтесь. Я раджу вам летіти у Відень рейсом, який відправляється в 9.10. В 10.45 з Відня є літак на Лондон, і через дві з половиною години ви на місці. Відніміть дві години різниці між австралійським і британським часом. Скільки вийде? Так, чверть дванадцятої. Іншими словами, у вас досить часу, щоб ще і влаштуватися в готелі.”

6. Я не належу до жодної політичної партії, хоча поважаю політичні погляди тих, хто їх виражає.

7. Скільки коштує відправити товари в Грецію морем? А скільки часу займе їх перевезення залізницею?

Ex.

Mark and Sarah are continuing the conversation. Put in the verbs. Use will or the present simple.

Sarah: If (e.g.) you take (you / take) a train, (e.g.) it'll be (it / be) much more comfortable. If

(1) … (you / need) a car, you can hire one when (2) … (you / get) to Glasgow.

Mark: If (3) … (I / hire) a car, (4) … (it / be) too complicated. I'd rather take my own.

Sarah: It's too dangerous. You might fall asleep on the motorway.

Mark: I won't fall asleep. I can play loud music. Anyway, (5) … (I / get) there much quicker

when (6) … (there / be) no traffic on the road. As soon as (7) … (I / arrive), (8) … (I /

ring) you, I promise.

Sarah: (9) … (I / be) worried until (10) … (I / hear) from you. But don't ring before (11) …

(I / be) awake in the morning.

Mark: (12) … (I / lie) down for a couple of hours before (13) … (I/go).

Sarah: Good idea. (14) … (you / be) exhausted tomorrow if (15) … (you / not / get) some

sleep this evening.

Ex.

Read the following . Agree or disagree with what is written. Start with

e.g. A person is (not) a computer nerd if...

You might be a computer nerd (swot) if:

1. your Web page is more popular than you.

2. you think Bill Gates is a "cool guy".

3. you wake at 3 a.m. to go to the bathroom and, on У0® way back to bed, you stop to check your e-mail.

4. you've never actually met any of your friends.

5. the optician looks deep into your eyes and sees a screen saver.

6. you'd prefer to buy Computer Weekly than Playboy.

7. you've read more books over the Internet than in real life.

g. your dog has its own home page, g. you can't speak to your mother because she doesn't have a modem.

10. you name your daughter Dotcom.

11. you spend a plane trip with your laptop on your lap and your child in the overhead baggage compart­ment.

12. when someone yells out, "Where's Tommy?", you do a search for tommy.com.

13. you run back into your burning home to rescue your computer rather than your family.

a nerd — US si. a dull, uninteresting person

a swot — Br infml. a person who works (too) hard at his studies

Ex.

A. Translate into English.

Мой день

Я обычно просыпаюсь около шести часов утра и сра­зу выбираюсь из кровати. По утрам я, как правило, принимаю душ, а по вечерам ванну. Я готовлю себе очень крепкий кофе и сажусь на кухне с газетами и журналами. Я люблю читать их, мне нравится узна­вать, что радует людей и что их огорчает, что их сер­дит и удивляет. В 8.30 я начинаю приводить дом в порядок, потому что экономка приходит в 9 часов, а я слишком воспитан, чтобы оставлять дом в беспоряд­ке. Я заканчиваю все до того, как она приходит. За­тем я сажусь в машину, и в 9.30 я уже в офисе. Моя секретарша Эмма Томсон также приходит в это вре­мя. И именно теперь начинается настоящая жизнь. Эмма — очаровательная женщина, очень энергичная и доминантная по характеру. Моя сестра считает, что в прошлой жизни Эмма была сержантом. Она говорит: «Мистер Картер, Вы должны подписать это, согласиться с этим, отказаться от этого и так далее.» И если она начинает слишком командовать (to get bossy), я говорю: «Эмма, мы встретимся через час.» Мой рабочий день заканчивается в 6 часов вечера. Вечером я могу делать все, что хочу. Иногда я встречаюсь с друзьями, хожу в театр, навещаю родителей. Иногда провожу спокойный вечер дома: смотрю те левизор, читаю книги.

В. Describe your working day or a day off.

Ex.

Match the following sentence parts.

1. Advise him to stop before 2. You'd better stop before 3. I wonder if 4. My heart will be broken if 5. Don't touch anything before 6. You'll lose your looks if 7. You'll feed a man for a day if 8. You'll get rid of him at weekend if 9. I won't have anything to do with you unless 10. You'll have a beauty sleep if 11. You'll find the fill as soon as 12. I will believe you after you 13. The secretary will remind in case 14. Ann's mother doesn't allow her to wear make-up till

a. mother knows it. b. the police come. c. you apologize. d. you go to bed early. e. you switch on the computer. f. you tell me the truth. g. he gets into trouble. h. you break my heart. i. I lose you. j. you forget about it. k. she is sixteen. 1. you don't mind your diet. m.you give him a fish. n. you teach him to fish.

Ex.

Complete the following sentences using the present tenses only.

1. I'm going to eat without you if ... . 2. You'll get fresh fruit after ... . 3. I'll be able to afford a holiday in case ... . 4. They'll be able to leave their kids when … 5. Your T-shirts won't shrink if ... . 6. You'll tan quickly after ... . 7. Your roses will last longer if … . 8. Your house plants will die unless .... 9. Take your umbrella in case ... . 10. You'll learn the results as so as .... 11.I must go to the shop before .... 12. She'll be pleased when ... . 13.I wonder if ... . 14. Will you be upset if ... ? 15. The young specialist will lose his independence if ... . 16. Nobody knows when ... . 17. I'll buy some new clothes as soon as ... . 18. We shall take some measures before ... . 19. Mother doesn't know whether ... . 20.I doubt whether anyone ... . 21. We don't know either if Maxim ... .

Ex. 8.

Translate into English. (Present or Future Indef.)

1. Я не можу вирішити, чи приєднуватися мені до них, доки не буде відомо, коли вони виїжджають. 2. Якщо ви будете працювати старанно, то до кінця дня закінчите роботу. 3. Я з ним переговорю до твого повернення, але я не впевнений, чи послухає він моєї поради. 4. Я буду вам дуже вдячний, якщо ви мені продиктуєте цю статтю. 5. Я думаю, все стане ясно, як тільки ми отримаємо від нього листа. 6. Скажіть йому, що, якщо він поїде в гори, я дам йому свої спортивні черевики; вони йому дуже знадобляться. 7. Спитайте їх, чи не дадуть вони мені пилосос, якщо мені потрібно буде почистити килим. 8. З вашого боку буде дуже нерозумно, якщо ви не скористаєтесь цією можливістю. 9. Я впевнений, всі полюблять її, як тільки вона почне працювати з нами. 10. Якщо вона зателефонує і нас не буде дома, запитайте її, чи зайде вона до нас ввечері. 11. Все буде залежати від того, чи встигнемо ми дати їм знати про це сьогодні. 12. Потяг 17 прибуває в Москву через годину. Якщо ви візьмете таксі, то встигнете зустріти брата. 13. Як тільки ви його побачите, запитайте його, коли він від’їжджає і чи зможе він зайти до нас перед від’їздом. 14. Запитайте на митниці, чи будуть вони оглядати наші валізи. 15. Якщо ви дістанетесь до табору першими, чекайте нас.