Seriously?

Present Simple at this level?

Yes, baby. Let's put it all together and perhaps learn a thing or two.

1.

You are very likely to know that we use Present Simple in IF/WHEN-clauses when talking about the future.

Well, it’s not only IF/WHEN-clauses that can act this way, but other subordinate clauses as well. Look at this:

• I’ll kill anyone who calls me a coward.
• I will pray that you get the job.
• I’ll go where you go.
• This discovery means that we will spend less on food. → This discovery will mean that we spend less on food.

This is particularly so with -ever words:

Wherever you go, I’ll be two steps behind you,
Whatever you do, and I’ll be there to remind you… (a love song by Def Leppard, a hard-rock band from Sheffield)

2.

The phrases I HOPE, I BET, IT DOESN’T MATTER, I DON’T CARE/MIND, tend to use Present Simple for an apparent 'future' meaning.

• I hope she is on time.
• I bet you pass with flying colours.
• It doesn’t matter who you invite.
• I don’t care what she says.

Let’s check with Google, just in case.

"I hope you like it." - 61.5M results
"I hope you'll like it." - 3.37M results
"I hope you will like it." - 3.87M results

3.

Present Simple is quite common after SO THAT.

• I’ll explain everything to him so that he knows exactly what’s going on.
• Make sure you leave early so that you don’t have to hurry.

4.

In formal correspondence, Present Simple is preferred over Present Continuous with performative verbs.

• We write to advise you to keep your nose out of our business.
• I enclose my cheque for 500 pounds as a good will gesture.

5.

Present Simple replaces Present Continuous in sporting events commentaries when it's quicker this way.

• Raul passes back to Ronaldo, nice ball – and Ronaldo shoots!

6.

7.

WHO SAYS / I TELL YOU WHAT / I HEAR

• Who says I can’t jump off the balcony? Watch me! (= WHO SAID…)
• I tell you what. If you can’t stand the kitchen, get out of the heat or something. (= I’LL TELL YOU…)
• I hear you’ve been fired and your wife admitted she’s not who you think she is? (= I’VE HEARD…)

4.

HERE COMES/THERE GOES

Even if what you are talking about is happening right now, these structures still use the Present Simple.

• Here comes the sun.
• There goes your father.

5.

Present Simple replaces Present Continuous in sporting events commentaries when it's quicker this way.

• Raul passes back to Ronaldo, nice ball – and Ronaldo shoots!

END OF THE GUIDE

Don’t relax just yet — graded assignments are coming up.
Go ahead and move on to the task; you need to reinforce what you’ve learned.

Field Practice

It's gonna be easier this time. Come up with a text (short story, anecdote, fairy tale, anything) that will include as many different verb forms as you can think of.
Write between 10 and 12 sentences.

Send a report of this task to YOUR SUPERVISOR.