1) 經常性或習慣性的動作，常與表示頻腮度的時間狀語連用。
時間狀語： every…, sometimes, at…, on Sunday
I leave home for school at 7 every morning.
2) 客觀真理，客觀存在，科學事實。
The earth moves around the sun.
Shanghai lies in the east of China.
3) 表示格言或警句中。
Pride goes before a fall. 驕者必敗。
註意：此用法如果出現在賓語從句中，即使主句是過去時，從句謂語也要用壹般現在時。
例：Columbus proved that the earth is round..
4) 現在時刻的狀態、能力、性格、個性。
I don't want so much.
Ann Wang writes good English but does not speak well.
比較：Now I put the sugar in the cup.
I am doing my homework now.
第壹句用壹般現在時，用於操作演示或指導說明的示範性動作，表示言行的瞬間動作。再如：Now watch me, I switch on the current and stand back. 第二句中的now是進行時的標誌，表示正在進行的動作的客觀狀況，所以後句用壹般現在時。
2 壹般過去時的用法
1）在確定的過去時間裏所發生的動作或存在的狀態。
時間狀語有：yesterday, last week, an hour ago, the other day, in 1982等。
Where did you go just now?
2）表示在過去壹段時間內，經常性或習慣性的動作。
When I was a child, I often played football in the street.
Whenever the Browns went during their visit, they were given a warm welcome.
3）句型：
It is time for sb. to do sth "到……時間了" "該……了"
It is time sb. did sth. "時間已遲了" "早該……了"
It is time for you to go to bed. 妳該睡覺了。
It is time you went to bed. 妳早該睡覺了。
would (had) rather sb. did sth. 表示'寧願某人做某事'
I'd rather you came tomorrow.
4) wish, wonder, think, hope 等用過去時，作試探性的詢問、請求、建議等。
I thought you might have some. 我以為妳想要壹些。
比較：
壹般過去時表示的動作或狀態都已成為過去，現已不復存在。
Christine was an invalid all her life.
(含義：她已不在人間。)
Christine has been an invalid all her life.
(含義：她現在還活著)
Mrs. Darby lived in Kentucky for seven years.
(含義：達比太太已不再住在肯塔基州。)
Mrs. Darby has lived in Kentucky for seven years.
( 含義：現在還住在肯塔基州，有可能指剛離去)
註意： 用過去時表示現在，表示委婉語氣。
1）動詞want, hope, wonder, think, intend 等。
Did you want anything else?
I wondered if you could help me.
2）情態動詞 could, would.
Could you lend me your bike?
3 現在進行時
現在進行時的基本用法：
a. 表示現在( 指說話人說話時) 正在發生的事情。
We are waiting for you.
b. 習慣進行：表示長期的或重復性的動作，說話時動作未必正在進行。
Mr. Green is writing another novel.
(說話時並未在寫，只處於寫作的狀態。)
She is learning piano under Mr. Smith.
c. 表示漸變的動詞有：get, grow, become, turn, run, go, begin等。
The leaves are turning red.
It's getting warmer and warmer.
d. 與always, constantly, forever 等詞連用，表示反復發生的動作或持續存在的狀態，往往帶有說話人的主觀色彩。
You are always changing your mind.
典型例題
My dictionary ___, I have looked for it everywhere but still___ it.
A. has lost, don't find B. is missing, don't find C. has lost, haven't found D. is missing, haven't found.
答案D. 前句是壹個仍在持續的狀態，應用進行時，由於沒有找到，其影響仍然存在，應用完成時，瞬間動詞用於否定式時可用於完成時。