Present Habits

Simple Present

The simple present is the most common way to express regular habits and routines.

Form:
– I/You/We/They + verb (base form)
– He/She/It + verb + s/es

Examples:
– I wake up at 6:30 every morning.
– She takes the bus to work.
– My brother spends two hours at the gym daily.

When to use it:
– For permanent or long-term habits
– For factual or objective statements about repeated actions
– Often used with frequency adverbs (always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never)

Present Continuous for Habits

The present continuous can express habits in specific contexts.

Form:

• Subject + be (am/is/are) + verb-ing

Used for:
a) Temporary habits

• I am walking to work this month because my car is being repaired.
• She is eating more vegetables lately.

b) Habits happening at the same time as another habitual action

• I usually listen to music when I am cooking.
• He often reads the news while he is having breakfast.

c) Noticeable or unusual habits (often with adverbs like ‘always’, ‘constantly’, ‘forever’)

He’s forever leaving his keys at home.

She’s always complaining about the weather. (suggests this is irritating or excessive)

They’re constantly changing their plans at the last minute.

Tend to

“Tend to” expresses what typically or generally happens.

Form:
– Subject + tend(s) to + base form of verb

Examples:
– I tend to adapt to new situations quickly.
– She tends to forget people’s names when she first meets them.
– Children tend to learn languages faster than adults.

When to use it:
– For general tendencies rather than specific habits
– When something happens frequently but not necessarily regularly
– To express what is typical or characteristic behavior

Will for Typical Behaviour

“Will” is commonly associated with future time, but it can also express typical or characteristic behavior in the present.

Form:
– Subject + will + base form of verb

Examples:
– I will often call my parents when I want advice.
– She will sit for hours just staring at the ocean.
– He will insist on paying whenever we go out for dinner.”

When to use it:
– For predictable or typical behavior
– For habits that are somewhat characteristic or expected
– Often with adverbs like ‘often’, ‘always’, ‘typically’

Note: This use of “will” expresses present habits, not future intentions.