1. THE FORM:
Example with the verb TO WORK
| AFFIRMATIVE | NEGATIVE | QUESTION |
|---|---|---|
| I WORK | I DON'T WORK | DO I WORK ? |
| YOU WORK | YOU DON'T WORK | DO YOU WORK ? |
| HE WORKS | HE DOESN'T WORK | DOES HE WORK ? |
| SHE WORKS | SHE DOESN'T WORK | DOES SHE WORK ? |
| IT WORKS | IT DOESN'T WORK | DOES IT WORK ? |
| WE WORK | WE DON'T WORK | DO WE WORK ? |
| YOU WORK | YOU DON'T WORK | DO YOU WORK ? |
| THEY WORK | THEY DON'T WORK | DO THEY WORK ? |
These words help a written piece to flow more smoothly. Let's take a look at an example. You will be able to see how they work. The first example is lacking a transition word, and the second example has one.
Amanda spent a long day working at the school and cooking dinner for her family. She had a large cup of coffee.
Amanda spent a long day working at the school and then cooking dinner for her family. Therefore, she had a large cup of coffee.
2. THE SPELLING RULES:
A) Add -s for most verbs with the third person singular (he/she/it)
I learn - he learns
I buy - he buys, I ride - he rides, I return - he returns
B) Add -es for verbs that end in –ch, -s , -sh, -x, or –z with the third person singular (he/she/it)
They wash - she washes
I pass - he passes, I rush - he rushes, I relax - he relaxes
C) Verbs ending in consonant + y get -ies with the third person singular.
I try - he tries
but do not change the –y when the base form ends in a vowel +y. Just add –s
I play - he plays
I enjoy - he enjoys
D) A few verbs have irregular forms.
be - is, do - does, go- goes, have - has
3. THE USES:
- Actions which happen regularly:
I often go to the cinema
She always works from nine to five
- Something which is always true:
The City (The Square Mile) is the financial centre of London
One litre of water weighs one kilogram
- With state verbs (verbs which do not express an activity but a state).
State verbs can be divided into three groups:
Sense Verbs: to hear, to feel, to see, etc.
Mind Verbs: to believe, to doubt, to fear, etc.
Emotion Verbs: to like, to love, to want, etc.
I feel as if I haven't slept for a week.
I believe Sarah is jealous.
I like short and effective meetings.
- For orders, commands, instructions, invitations, suggestion (= the imperative)
Send this fax to Mr Jones as soon as you can.
Don't talk during the speech.
Give my regards to your wife.
- To refer to fixed events in the future.
For example: future programmes, schedules, timetables:
Flight BA704 departs at 07.30.
My train leaves at 4.15.
Now you may want to do some exercises, so just click HERE.