Unit 4: SUBJECT AND VERB

With past tense verbs, the formation of the verb is the same for all subjects. But in the present tense, the first word of the verb changes for 3rd person singular (Unit 2). However, the verb be is different.

All verbs except be

PRESENT TENSE

3rd person singular (Unit 2) -- use the s form (Unit 14):

She likes hot weather.
This heater uses gas.
Kelly has allergies.
Does he need crutches?

All other persons -- use base form (Unit 14):

I like hot weather.
These heaters use gas.
They have allergies.
Do you need crutches?

NOTICE: Only the first word of the verb changes.

We say:
The game has finished. (NOT has finisheds)
Does he need crutches? (NOT does he needs)

NOTICE: Modal verbs (Unit 27) do not have an s form.

We say:
He will come. (NOT wills come )

PAST TENSE

We use the past form (Unit 14) for all persons.

The verb be

1ST PERSON SINGULAR:

Present: I am tired.
Past: I was tired.
Present: I am going home.
Past: I was going home.

3RD PERSON SINGULAR:

Present: Maria is tired.
Past: Maria was tired.
Present: She is going home.
Past: She was going home.

ALL OTHER PERSONS:

Present: You are tired.
Past: You were tired.
Present: We are going home.
Past: We were going home.
Present: They are sleeping.
Past: They were sleeping.

NOTICE: The other forms of be (be, been, being - Unit 16) are the same for all persons.

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Exercise 4.1
Exercise 4.2