General Truths

Expressing General Truths in English:

• Simple Present Tense: The go-to tense for stating general truths.
  • Example: Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
• Universal Statements: Often about nature, science, or habitual behaviors.
  • Example: The Earth orbits the sun.

Examples of General Truths:

1. Scientific Facts: Light travels faster than sound.
2. Physical Laws: Objects in motion stay in motion unless acted upon.
3. Habitual Behaviors in Society: People shake hands when they meet in many cultures.

Discussing General Truths

• Making Statements: Dogs are known for their loyalty.
• Explaining Concepts: A year consists of 12 months.
• Describing Habits: In many countries, people drive on the right side of the road.
• Teaching or Informing: The human body contains 206 bones.

Common Mistakes When Stating General Truths

• Using the Wrong Tense:
  • 🚫 Wrong: The sun was rising in the east.
  • ✅ Right: The sun rises in the east.
• Presenting Opinions as Facts:
  • 🚫 Wrong: Chocolate tastes the best.
  • ✅ Right: Chocolate is a popular flavor.
• Confusing Habitual Actions with General Truths:
  • 🚫 Wrong: I go to school at 8 AM is a general truth.
  • ✅ Right: Schools usually start in the morning.
• Overgeneralizing Specific Cases:
  • 🚫 Wrong: All birds can fly.
  • ✅ Right: Most birds can fly.