Using Present Simple for Facts and Truths

1 Things That Never Change

Some things change. Some things never change. You drink coffee every morning. That is a habit. It can change. But water boils at 100 degrees. That is a fact. It never changes.

We use Present Simple to talk about facts. Facts are always true. The sun rises in the morning. Ice melts when it is warm. The River Nile flows through Egypt. These things are always true.

We also use Present Simple for permanent things in our lives. Where do you live? What language do you speak? These things do not change every day. They are permanent. Paris is the capital of France. That is a permanent fact. I live in Rome. That is my permanent situation.

2 How to Make Statements of Fact

When you talk about facts, you use Present Simple. The form is easy. Use the base form of the word. For he, she, it, add -s or -es.

Look at these examples. They show facts about nature and the world. These facts are always true.

3 Alex's World of Facts

My name is Alex. I live in Rome. Rome is the capital of Italy. This is a permanent fact. It does not change. I am studying English now. That is temporary. But I live in Rome. That is permanent.

I speak Italian and English. These are my languages. This does not change every day. My friend Sara lives in London. London is the capital of the United Kingdom. The River Thames flows through London. These are geographical facts.

I like science. I learn facts about nature. Water boils at 100 degrees. This is always true. Water freezes at 0 degrees. Ice melts when the temperature rises. These are scientific facts. They never change.

The Earth is a planet. It rotates around the sun. The sun rises in the east. It sets in the west. These things happen every day. They are permanent truths.

Italy has many beautiful mountains. The Alps are in the north. The Mediterranean Sea is in the south. A river called the Tiber flows through Rome. I see it every day.

I am writing this text now. That is temporary. But the facts I write are permanent. They do not change. Water always boils at 100 degrees. Rome is always the capital of Italy. The sun always rises in the east. These are facts about my world.

4 Write Your Facts

Now you write about facts in your world. Use Present Simple.

5 Remember the Difference

Now you know the difference. Habits change. Facts do not change. I drink coffee every morning. That is a habit. Water boils at 100 degrees. That is a fact.

Use Present Simple for both habits and facts. But facts are always true. They never change. If something is always true, use Present Simple. The sun rises in the east. That is always true. London is the capital of the United Kingdom. That is always true.

When you read books, look for facts. Science books have many facts. Geography books have many facts. These facts use Present Simple. This helps you learn English and learn about the world.