Present Habits
This comprehensive guide explores the various ways to express habitual actions in English. Beyond the basic present simple tense, discover how native speakers use present continuous, ‘tend to’, and ‘will’ to convey different nuances of regular behavior. With clear examples, comparison charts, and practice exercises, this resource helps to master the subtle distinctions between different habit expressions and use them appropriately in conversation. Perfect for expanding your grammatical range and expressing yourself with greater precision and sophistication.
1. 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)
2. 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’)
– She’s always complaining about the weather. (suggests this is irritating or excessive)
– They’re constantly changing their plans at the last minute.
– He’s forever leaving his keys at home.
3. Tend to + Base Form
“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
4. 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.
| Structure | Usage | Connotation |
|---|---|---|
| Simple present | Regular, established habits | Neutral, factual |
| Present continuous | Temporary or ongoing habits | Often emphasizes duration or temporary nature |
| Present continuous + always, etc. | Noticeable habits | Often suggests irritation or criticism |
| Tend to | General tendencies | Suggests typical behavior without regularity |
| Wil | Characteristic behavior | Emphasizes predictability or typicality |