（一）基本用法:1、表示现在经常性或习惯性的动作及情况或状态,常与always, usually, often, sometimes, at times, every day, on Sundays, now and then, occasionally, seldom等连用。
E.g. He likes living in the country.
2、表示客观真理、科学事实 、格言或警句和习惯用语中以及不受时间限制的客观存在的事实 。
E.g. （1）The earth runs around the sun. （2） Pride goes before a fall.
【注】此用法如果出现在宾语从句中，即使主句是过去时，从句谓语也要用一般现在时
E.g.Columbus proved that the earth is round.
（二）特殊用法: 1、主句是将来时态或表示将来意义,时间、条件、让步、方式状语从句须用一般现在时表将来。E.g.（1）I’ll write to her when I have time. （2）If we hurry up, we can catch the bus.
（3）Whatever you say, I won’t pay. （4）Next time I’ll do as he says.
