Simple Present – Grammar & Verb Tenses

Ellii (formerly ESL Library)

2 Sept 202004:50

Summary

TLDRThe video script from ESL Library explains the simple present verb tense, which is used for repeated actions occurring regularly. It outlines the two forms of simple present verbs: base verb for plural subjects and subjects like 'I,' 'you,' 'we,' 'they'; and verb + s for singular subjects like 'he,' 'she,' 'it,' and non-count nouns. Examples are provided for clarity, and viewers are encouraged to practice forming sentences.

Takeaways

🕒 The simple present tense is used to describe actions that happen regularly or repeatedly.
🍞 Examples of repeated actions include eating breakfast daily, reading in bed every night, and studying after school.
📚 There are two forms of simple present verbs: base verb and verb with an added 's'.
👥 The choice between base verb and verb + s depends on the subject pronoun or noun.
🚶‍♂️ Use the base verb with subject pronouns like 'I', 'you', 'we', and 'they', and with plural nouns.
📰 Use verb + s with subject pronouns 'he', 'she', 'it', and with singular nouns.
🌨️ Non-count nouns also take verb + s, as seen with 'Snow falls' and 'My hair grows'.
📸 The script encourages looking at a picture to create a simple present sentence, like 'She drinks coffee every day'.
📝 Practice is encouraged with the prompt 'Now you try!' to reinforce learning.
🌐 The video is from ESL Library, a resource for English language learners, as indicated by the website at the end.

Q & A

What is a verb tense?
-A verb tense shows the time that an action takes place.
What is the simple present tense used for?
-The simple present tense is used for repeated actions that happen over and over again.
Can you give an example of a repeated action in the simple present tense?
-An example is: 'I eat breakfast every day.'
How do simple present verbs change based on the subject?
-Simple present verbs have two forms: base verb and verb + s. The form used depends on the subject of the sentence.
When do we use the base form of a verb in the simple present tense?
-We use the base form when the subject pronoun is 'I', 'you', 'we', or 'they', or when the subject noun is plural.
When do we add 's' to the verb in the simple present tense?
-We add 's' when the subject pronoun is 'he', 'she', or 'it', or when the subject noun is singular or non-count.
Can you provide an example of a sentence using a base verb in the simple present tense?
-An example is: 'We sometimes eat dessert.'
Can you provide an example of a sentence using a verb + s in the simple present tense?
-An example is: 'She takes the bus to work in the morning.'
What is a non-count noun, and how does it affect verb conjugation in the simple present tense?
-A non-count noun refers to something that cannot be counted (e.g., 'snow'). In the simple present tense, we add 's' to the verb when the subject is a non-count noun. For example, 'Snow falls from the sky in winter.'
How can learners practice forming sentences in the simple present tense?
-Learners can look at a picture and try to say or write a simple present sentence, such as 'She drinks coffee every day.'

Outlines

00:00

📚 Understanding Simple Present Tense

The paragraph introduces the concept of verb tenses, specifically focusing on the simple present tense. It explains that this tense is used for actions that occur repeatedly. Examples given include daily routines such as eating breakfast, reading in bed, and studying after school. The paragraph then delves into the conjugation of simple present verbs, which depends on the subject of the sentence. It outlines the rules for using the base form of the verb with plural subjects (e.g., 'we', 'they') and the third person singular form with 's' added for singular subjects (e.g., 'he', 'she', 'it'). It also covers the use of the base verb for plural nouns and the 's' form for singular nouns and non-count nouns. The paragraph concludes with an interactive prompt, encouraging viewers to create their own simple present sentences and directing them to the ESL Library website for more resources.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Verb tenses

Verb tenses are grammatical forms of verbs that indicate the time at which an action, event, or state occurs. In the context of the video, verb tenses are essential for understanding how actions are situated in time. The video focuses on the simple present tense, which is used to describe habitual or regular actions, as illustrated by the examples 'I eat breakfast every day' and 'I read in bed every night.'

💡Simple present tense

The simple present tense is a verb tense used to describe actions or states that are currently true or habitual. It is a core concept in the video, which aims to teach viewers how to use this tense for repeated actions. The script provides examples such as 'I always study after school' to demonstrate the use of the simple present tense.

💡Repeated actions

Repeated actions refer to activities that occur regularly or habitually. The video emphasizes the use of the simple present tense for these types of actions, as they happen over and over again. Examples from the script like 'I eat breakfast every day' and 'They study every night' highlight the concept of repeated actions.

💡Subject

A subject in a sentence is the person, place, thing, or idea that is doing or being described. The video explains that the form of the verb in the simple present tense depends on the subject. The script clarifies this by contrasting sentences with different subjects, such as 'I walk to school every day' and 'He reads the newspaper on the weekend.'

💡Base verb

A base verb is the simplest form of a verb, typically used with subject pronouns like 'I,' 'you,' 'we,' and 'they.' The video script explains that when the subject is one of these pronouns, the base form of the verb is used, as seen in examples like 'We sometimes eat dessert' and 'You always drink coffee.'

💡Verb + s

When the subject pronoun is 'he,' 'she,' or 'it,'' or when the subject noun is singular, the simple present tense is formed by adding 's' to the base verb. The video uses examples such as 'He reads the newspaper on the weekend' and 'The student walks to school every day' to illustrate this grammatical rule.

💡Plural nouns

Plural nouns refer to more than one person, place, thing, or idea. The video teaches that when the subject is a plural noun, the base form of the verb is used in the simple present tense. Examples from the script include 'The students take the bus to school' and 'My parents drink coffee every morning.'

💡Singular nouns

Singular nouns indicate one person, place, thing, or idea. According to the video, when the subject is a singular noun, 's' is added to the verb in the simple present tense. The script provides examples like 'My dog always sleeps on my bed' to demonstrate this usage.

💡Non-count nouns

Non-count nouns, also known as uncountable nouns, are nouns that cannot be counted or made plural. The video explains that with non-count nouns as subjects, the simple present tense is formed by adding 's' to the verb. Examples such as 'Snow falls from the sky in winter' and 'My hair grows quickly' are used to illustrate this point.

💡Sentence formation

Sentence formation is the process of constructing sentences by arranging words according to grammatical rules. The video script encourages viewers to practice forming simple present tense sentences by looking at a picture and creating sentences, as exemplified by 'She drinks coffee every day.' This exercise helps viewers apply the concepts learned.

Highlights

Verb tenses show the time that an action takes place.

The simple present is a verb tense.

Use simple present tense for repeated actions.

Repeated actions happen over and over again.

Examples of repeated actions: eating breakfast daily, reading in bed every night, studying after school.

Simple present verbs have two forms.

Form depends on the subject of the sentence.

Subjects can be pronouns or nouns.

Use base verb with subject pronouns I, you, we, or they.

Use verb + s with subject pronouns he, she, or it.

Use base verb with plural subject nouns.

Use verb + s with singular subject nouns.

Use verb + s with non-count subject nouns.

Examples of simple present sentences with singular and plural subjects.

Instructions to look at a picture and create a simple present sentence.

Example sentence: 'She drinks coffee every day.'

Invitation for viewers to try creating their own simple present sentence.

Thanks for watching and reference to www.esllibrary.com.