Verbs: Introduction to Simple Present | Active Summary

Objectives

1.  Understand and apply the simple present tense in English to describe daily activities and routines.

2.  Recognize the structure of verbs in the simple present and use them correctly in sentences.

3.  Develop writing, reading, and speaking skills through practical and interactive activities.

Contextualization

Did you know that the simple present is one of the most used verb tenses in English? It's not simple just in name, but it's also essential for talking about things we do regularly. For example, when you describe your morning routine, you are using the simple present!  This verb tense is like a superhero, always ready to help you communicate clearly about what happens in your daily life.

Important Topics

Structure of the Simple Present

The Simple Present is used to talk about habitual actions and universal facts. In the affirmative form, the basic structure consists of the subject followed by the verb in its base form, without changes. For example, 'I speak English.' or 'She goes to school.' It's important to note that for the third person singular (he, she, it), most verbs receive the suffix -s or -es, except for those ending in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, or -x.

• Used to describe habitual actions or universal facts.

• Third person singular: verbs are conjugated with -s or -es; except when they end in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, or -x.

• Important for describing daily routines and regular events.

Irregular Verbs in the Simple Present

Some verbs have irregular forms in the Simple Present and do not follow the rules of adding -s for the third person. For example, the verb 'to be' has different forms for I, you, we, they (are) and for he, she, it (is). Other common irregular verbs are 'have' (has), 'do' (does), 'go' (goes), etc. It is crucial to memorize these verbs and their forms to use the Simple Present correctly.

• Irregular forms do not follow the standard conjugation rules.

• It's important to memorize these verbs for correct use of the verb tense.

• Includes verbs like 'to be', 'to have', 'to do', among others.

Use of the Simple Present in Questions and Negatives

The Simple Present is used in questions by adding the auxiliary verb 'do' or 'does' before the subject, except for the third person singular where the main verb is used. In negatives, 'do not' or 'does not' are used before the main verb. This verb tense is fundamental for constructing questions and negatives clearly and effectively in English.

• In questions, 'do' or 'does' are used before the subject.

• In negatives, 'do not' or 'does not' are used before the main verb.

• Important for practicing conversation and text comprehension.

Key Terms

• Simple Present: A verb tense used to describe habitual actions, universal facts, and events that occur regularly.

• Base Form: The most basic form of a verb, used as the root for verb conjugation in English.

• Third Person Singular: A grammatical reference to he, she, and it, where most verbs in the Simple Present receive the suffix -s or -es.

To Reflect

• How can the correct use of the Simple Present improve your communication in English in daily life?

• Why is it important to memorize irregular verbs in the Simple Present?

• In what ways can studying the Simple Present help you better understand songs and movies in English?

Important Conclusions

• Today, we explored the Simple Present in English, an essential verb tense for talking about habitual actions and universal facts. We learned the basic structure, the importance of the third person singular, and discussed irregular verbs.

• Understanding and using the Simple Present correctly is crucial for effective communication in English. This verb tense allows us to describe daily routines, preferences, and regular events clearly and concisely.

• By practicing with everyday examples and interactive activities, you have developed skills that can be applied not only in the classroom but also in real communication situations.

To Exercise Knowledge

1. Weekly Journal: For a week, keep a journal in English. Try to describe your daily activities using the Simple Present. This will help consolidate what you learned and observe your progress. 2. Flashcards: Create flashcards with verbs in the Simple Present on one side and the translation on the other. Review them daily to strengthen your memory. 3. Family Interview: Choose a day to 'interview' your family in English. Formulate questions using the Simple Present about their routines and interests. This will provide speaking and listening practice.

Challenge

 Linguistic Detective Challenge: Watch an episode of an animated show or series in English. Write down all the sentences that use the Simple Present. Try to identify regular and irregular verbs and share your findings with the class next time!

Study Tips

•  Daily Reading in English: Set aside time every day to read a paragraph of a text in English. Try to identify and underline the verbs in the Simple Present.

•  Conversation Practice: Find a friend or family member to practice conversation in English. Focus on using the Simple Present to describe your routines and plans.

•  Movies and Series: Watch movies or series in English with subtitles in the same language. Pay attention to the use of the Simple Present and try to repeat the sentences to practice your pronunciation and fluency.