The Present Indefinite is used to denote:

1. repeated/ habitual actions (especially with frequency adverbs: often, usually, etc.): He usually goes to bed at 11.

2. permanent situations or states: She works as a nurse.

3. permanent truths or laws of nature: Water freezes at 0ºC.

4. timetables/programmes (future meaning): The match finishes at 7.

5. reviews/sports commentaries/dramatic narrative: Meryl Streep acts brilliantly in this film.

The following time expressions can be used with the Present Indefinite: every day/ week/ month/ year, usually, often, always, rarely, never, sometimes, from time to time, in the morning/ afternoon/ evening, at night, on Sundays, etc.

E X E R C I S E S

1.1. Explain the use of the Present Indefinite forms. Translate into Russian.

1. Every summer we go to the south to have a rest.

2. As a rule, we have 6 lessons on Mondays.

3. Does he ever eat meat? – No, he never eats meat. He is a vegetarian.

4. It often snows in winter in Belarus.

5. A square has four equal sides.

6. Our hero goes off to search for the treasure, which he eventually finds after many adventures.

7. Usually it takes me three days to drive to Los Angeles.

8. Every day she takes her son to school before she goes to work.

9. My plane arrives at 7:30 tomorrow morning.

10. This shop opens next week.

1.2. Transform into negative and interrogative forms.

(A)

1. Peter has poor eyesight, so he always wears glasses.

2. She drinks coffee in the morning.

3. On Sundays we go to see our friends.

4. They sometimes miss the 7 o'clock train and have to wait for the next one.

5. The sun rises in the east.

6. I hear somebody knocking at the door.

7. The book contains a lot of useful information.

8. Her parents live in the country.

9. The last train leaves at midnight.

10. We understand you quite well.

11. Magnet attracts iron.

12. Charlie looks just like his father.

13. Our classes usually begin at 9 o'clock.

14. Generally he walks to his office because it is not far from his house.

15. The pupils know this poem by heart.

(B)

1. Usually they have much work to do about the house.

2. Kate is absent from class today. She has got a sore throat.

3. Robert is keen on video games. He plays them every day.

4. I have lots of books at home. There are many English books among them.

5. Mark is good at tennis. He has got a lot of ability.

6. This car has a good cassette player.

7. This town is 4000 years old.

8. We have got a new computer.

9. There is a very interesting program on TV this evening.

10. They are often late for the classes.

11. Our house has three bedrooms.

12. We often have dictations in class.

13. Betty and Linda are fond of music.

14. Terry is in bed. He has got the flu.

15. There are many beautiful lakes in Belarus.

1.3. Ask your fellow-student:

1. how long it takes him/her to get to his/her work;

2. if he/she studies well;

3. where they spend their holidays;

4. when it rains much in Belarus;

5. what time his/her classes begin;

6. what he/she does when the weather is good;

7. what kind of sportsman he/she is;

8. why he/she doesn't know the rule;

9. what this word means;

10. how many cinemas there are in this city;

11. when the train leaves;

12. how well his/her friends speak French;

13. if he/she has a dog;

14. how often he/she has got spelling dictations;

15. why his/her parents are so upset.