Brenda usually wears aviator glasses, but she isn't wearing them today.
Present Simple
Form
| Positive | Negative | Questions |
|---|---|---|
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Spelling Rules
Verbs that end in 'y' often change 'y' to 'ie' before 's':
- study = studies
- try = tries
- hurry = hurries
- fly = flies
- copy = copies
'y' doesn't change to 'ie' if the ending is 'ay', 'ey', 'oy', 'uy':
- play = plays
- say = says
- buy = buys
- enjoy = enjoys
- stay = stays
Verbs that end in 'es', 'sh', 'ss', 'ch' or 'x' often add 'e' before 's':
- flash = flashes
- teach = teaches
Repeated Actions
Use the Present Simple to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens:
I fly airplanes.
She does not fly airplanes.
Does he fly airplanes?
The airplane leaves every morning at 8 AM.
The airplane does not leave at 9 AM.
Does the sun always set in the west?
She always forgets her airport layout.
He never forgets his airport layout.
Why does she always forget her airport layout?
Every evening at the airport there is a grounding time, thirty minutes after sunset.
Every evening at the airport there isn't a grounding time, thirty minutes after sunset.
Is there every evening at the airport a grounding time, thirty minutes after sunset?
Facts or Generalizations
The Present Simple can also show that the speaker believes that a fact was true before, is true now, and will be true in the future.
- Pilots like Cessna airplanes.
- Mechanics do not like Cessna airplanes.
- Control towers are located at controlled airports.
- Control towers are not located at a football stadium.
- Cessna airplane windows are made of glass.
- Cessna airplane windows are not made of wood.
Scheduled Events in the Near Future
We also use the Present Simple to talk about scheduled events in the near future. This is most commonly done when talking about public transportation, but it can be used with other scheduled events as well.
- The flight leaves tonight at 6 PM.
- The flight does not arrive at 11 AM, it arrives at 11 PM.
- When do we board the plane?
- When does runway inspection begin tomorrow?
- The flight starts at 8 o'clock.
Adverb Placement
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.. The adverb usually comes before the main verb of the sentence. If the main verb of the sentence is be, the adverb comes after.
- You only speak English in Aviation.
- Do you only speak English in Aviation?
- The flight doesn't always arrive late.
- I usually go to the airport early.
- He is always late for his flight.
- She is never happy parking her aircraft on the grass.
Present Continuous
Form
| Positive | Negative | Questions |
|---|---|---|
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Actions Happening Now
Use the Present Continuous to express the idea that something is happening now, at this very moment:
- You are not taxiing now.
- Are you flying?
- I am sitting in the Beech Bonanza.
- You are learning the airport diagram now.
- I am not seeing the ramp.
- Is he taxiing or holding?
- They are not watching for vehicles.
- They are reading their log books.
- What are you doing on that taxiway?
- Why aren't you doing your pre-flight inspection?
In the Middle of Doing Something
Sometimes the action is not happening at the moment of speaking, but the Present Continuous is still used to mean that the speaker is in the middle of doing it and not yet finished:
I am studying to become a pilot.
I am reading a really interesting aviation book these days.
Samantha is studying at flight school.
Longer Actions around Now
The Present Continuous can be used with today, this week, this month, this year, etc.:
I'm having a good month this month. I'm doing a lot of training flights.
He is working on the taxiway, he must be exhausted.
Changes Happening around Now
The Present Continuous can describe things that are changing around now. This is especially true when describing changes with the following verbs:
- increase
- rise
- fall
- improve
- begin
- start
- change
- become / get
- grow
Have you seen aviation fuel prices recently? Prices are really rising.
I love this time of the year. People are travelling more often.
Your Aviation English is really getting better!
Sure Plans about the Future
Speakers often use the Present Continuous to describe future plans. The use of the Present Continuous means they are sure their future plans will happen:
- I am meeting some friends after my solo flight.
- I am not going to the airport tonight.
- Is he visiting his flight instructor next weekend?
- Isn't he doing a night flight from the airport tonight?
Adverb Placement
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: only, currently, still, just, etc.. Again, the adverb usually goes before the main verb:
You are still watching the altimeter.
Are you still watching the altimeter?
He is only replacing runway lights.
All Aviation Students Addendum for Aircrew
Exercise
Your instructor may assign this or the Addendum or both. Please ensure you are completing the correct exercise before proceeding. Open Exercise #1 to begin the activity. Follow the instructions in the document.
Exercise
Your instructor may assign this Addendum or both. Please ensure you are completing the correct exercise before proceeding. Open Exercise #1A to begin the activity. Follow the instructions in the document.