■一般现在时的基本用法

一般现在时主要表示经常性或习惯性的动作、说话时某人或某物的特征或状态,以及客观真理。常与always, usually, often, sometimes, seldom, every day等时间状语连用。如:

I often work at night. 我经常在夜间工作。

Liquid turns into gas when it is hot enough. 足够热时,液体变为气体。

However cold it is, she always goes swimming. 不管天多冷,她总是去游泳。

■一般现在时的特殊用法

当时间、条件、方式及让步状语从句中的谓语动词表示将来的动作或状态时,习惯上要用一般现在时表示。如:

If you come, we will wait for you. 如果你来,我们就等你。

When he gets here, the work will be finished. 当他到这儿时,工作将做完了。

Though he disagrees with us, he will do as we decided. 尽管他不赞成我们当观点,他还是会按我们的决定去做。

另外,在make sure(弄清楚),make certain(弄清楚),take care(注意,当心),be careful(注意,当心),mind(注意),watch(注意)等后的that从句中通常也只用一般现在时表示将来意义。如:

Make sure you come back soon. 你要保证快点回来。

We must take care that no one sees us. 我们必须注意别让人看见我们。

Be careful that you don’t hurt her feelings. 当心别伤了她的感情。

Watch that the baby doesn’t go near the heater. 注意别让宝宝接近加热器。

Mind you read the examination questions carefully before you begin to answer them. 在答题前要注意仔细阅读考题。

还有,在it doesn’t matter, I don’t care, I don’t mind 等结构(以及类似结构)后的名词性从句也通常用一般现在时表示将来意义。如:

It doesn’t matter where we go on holiday. 我们去哪儿度假都行。

I don’t care whether we win or lose. 我不在乎我们是赢还是输。