There are twelve main types of tenses in English. To choose from them the one that is best suited in a particular sentence, you often have to use special hint words. Auxiliary words in English tenses serve to use complex multi-temporal constructions faster and more efficiently without getting confused in them. And you should start with basic information. And since you should start with basic information, this article will look at words that indicate Present Simple.
Direct regularity indicator - every
The very definition of Present Simple sounds like this: a real simple regularly repeated action. This is the easiest form of present tense to understand. Therefore, paradoxically, the word every, which means "every" in translation, is an auxiliary word for this tense in any context.
For example:
- Everyday - every day.
- Every second week - every second week.
- Every December - every December.
- Every year - every year.
- Every ThursdayThursday.
- Every summer - every summer.
Anyone can continue this list with their own examples. It is only important to understand and remember that if they are present in the sentence, it is most likely necessary to use Present Simple.
Abstract regularity pointers
These adverbs (auxiliary words are most often adverbs of time, because it depends on the described time period which sentence formula should be used) do not contain every. They are called abstract because they do not mark a specific time frame, but only give a general idea of the periodicity of the action. But at the same time, they are quite convincing evidence in favor of Present Simple
These are the words:
- Always - always.
- Usually - usually (from usual - "usual").
- Often - often.
- Sometimes - sometimes.
- Rarely - rare.
- Seldom - almost never.
- Never - never. Note that "never" is an auxiliary word only if the meaning implies an action that is never performed. If it will never be performed or has never been performed before, the Present and Future Perfect should be used, respectively.
Other "pointers": on/in the
If it is necessary to say in English that someone does something "in the morning" or, for example, "on Tuesdays", then this "by" can be expressed in twoways:
- With the help of the preposition on - when it comes to the day of the week. For example: on Thursday - on Thursdays.
- With the help of the preposition in and the definite article the - if the time of day is mentioned. For example: in the evening - in the evenings.
Of course, it's better to learn the rules for using these prepositions with adverbs of time, but if you suddenly happen to get confused, you can always use the synonymous construction with every, which was described above. For example: every Monday=on Monday.
Examples of usage
Several examples of the use of auxiliary words will help you better understand this small section of the English language and use it more actively.
| Example | Translation |
| Sometimes I watch TV to relax a little after work. | Sometimes I watch TV to relax a bit after work. |
| My mother often says that we have to work hard everyday to become successful. | My mom often says that we have to work hard every day to be successful. |
| The weather is always good here. | The weather is always good here. |
The list of these examples can easily be supplemented with your own. In foreign literature, even in the simplest and most childish, it is also easy to find confirmation of how important auxiliary words are for understanding complex andconfusing English grammar.
