Present Simple Exceptions in English Grammar

Present Simple Exceptions in English Grammar Here is the most important English language rule to remember: Almost every rule is about 90% valid. As confusing as that concept may be, it is certainly one of the most frustrating and truthful things about learning English. All that hard work to learn the correct grammar and then you read or hear something like this: Peter does want to come this summer. Its just that he cant get off work. As an excellent student, the first thought that comes to your mind is; wait a minute, that first sentence is a positive sentence.  Does want  cant be correct. It should be; Peter  wants to come this summer. Of course, according to what you have learned you are correct. However, in certain instances, you can use both the auxiliary and principal verb together to form a positive sentence. We allow this exception to add extra emphasis. In other words: Peter really wants to come this summer. Exceptions to the (English) Rules This feature will concern the various uses of and exceptions to the simple present. You all know that we usually use the simple present to express: Habitual actionsOpinions and preferencesTruths and facts You also know that the standard construction is the following: Positive: Tom goes to the beach on SaturdaysNegative: Mary doesnt like to eat fish on Fridays.Interrogative: Do they work in New York? Here are some simple present exceptions/extra possibilities. Exception 1 In order to add stress to a positive sentence, we can use the auxiliary verb to do. We often use this exception when we are contradicting what someone else has said. Example: A: I dont think Peter wants to come with us this summer. He told me that he wouldnt be able to come, but I think he just doesnt want to come with us. B: No, thats not true. Peter  does  want to come. Its just that he has too much work and cant get away from the office. Exception 2 The simple present can also be used for the future. We use the simple present to express future, scheduled, events with verbs that express beginning and end, or departure and arrival. Example: A: When does the train for Paris leave?B: It leaves at 7 tomorrow morning. Exception 3 We use the simple present in time clauses when talking about future events. The  when  is expressed with the simple present. The  result  is expressed with a future form, usually the future with will. Time clauses are introduced by time signifiers such as when, as soon as, before, after, etc. The construction is the same as the first conditional except that we use a time signifier such as as soon as instead of if. Example: A: When are you going to come and see the new house?B: We will come as soon as we finish the Smith project. Exception 4 We often use the simple present when we write timelines or biographical outlines even if all the events take place in the past. Example: 1911 - Pete Wilson is born in Seattle, Washington.1918 - Pete begins to play the saxophone.1927 - Pete is discovered by Fat Man Wallace.1928 - Fat Man Wallace arranges Petes first concert with Big Fanny and the Boys in New York.1936 - Pete goes to Paris. Exception 5 In the question form, we usually use the auxiliary verb to do. However, if the question word/words (usually who, which or what) express the subject and not the object of the sentence, the question is asked using positive sentence structure with a question mark. By the way, this is true of other tenses as well. Example: Regular: Who do you work with? (some people prefer Whom do you work with?)Exception: Who works with you? Regular: Which toothpaste do you use?Exception: Which brands of toothpaste use fluoride? Exception 6 Time words cause a great deal of confusion to English learners. Here are some exceptions concerning time words. Adverbs of frequency such as regularly, usually, normally, always, often, sometimes, never, etc. are generally put before the main verb. However, they can also be put at the beginning or end of a sentence. Example: Regular: John usually arrives home at 5 oclock.Also possible: Usually John arrives home at 5 oclock OR John arrives home at 5 oclock usually. Note: Some teachers do not consider the other possibilities correct. However, if you listen carefully to native speakers, you will also hear these forms used. Exception 7 The verb to be also causes special problems. If the adverb of frequency is placed in the middle of the sentence (as is usually the case) it must  follow  the verb to be. Example: Regular: Fred often eats in a bar and grill.To be: Fred is often late to work. Exception 8 This is one of the strangest uses of adverbs of frequency. Negative adverbs of frequency used in the initial position of a sentence must be followed by question word order. These adverbs include  rarely, never,  and  seldom. Example: Regular: Patricia rarely finishes work before 7 p.m.Initial placement: Seldom does John play volleyball. The above exceptions are certainly not the  only  exceptions, however, they are some of the most common ones that you will encounter in your English language-learning journey.