Grammar: Verbs
A1 Lesson 12: Basic Action Verbs
What are Action Verbs?
We have learned about verbs that show a state of being (like 'am' and 'is'). Action verbs are different: they are words that show something you can do.
I am a student.
I read a book.
The Two Simple Rules 📖
In the simple present tense, there are two main forms for action verbs.
Rule 1: Use the Base Form
For subjects I, You, We, They, use the simple verb with no change.
- I eat rice every day.
- You speak English well.
- They sell pepper at the market.
Rule 2: Add '-s'
For subjects He, She, It, add an '-s' to the end of the verb.
- He works on a fishing boat.
- She rides a motorcycle to school.
- It (the sun) shines brightly in Cambodia.
Common Action Verbs
| Verb for I/You/We/They | Verb for He/She/It | Khmer Translation |
|---|---|---|
| eat | eats | ញ៉ាំ |
| drink | drinks | ផឹក |
| go | goes | ទៅ |
| work | works | ធ្វើការ |
| live | lives | រស់នៅ |
| speak | speaks | និយាយ |
💡 Spelling Tip!
For verbs that end in '-o', like 'go', we add '-es' instead of just '-s' for he/she/it. (Example: He goes to school.)
Practice Your Grammar 🎯
Exercise: Choose the Correct Verb
Choose the correct verb form to complete the sentences.
- She (work / works) at a hotel.
- I (live / lives) near the river.
- They (sell / sells) seafood at the market.
- He (drink / drinks) a lot of coffee.
- The cat (sleep / sleeps) on the chair.
Your Grammar Mission ⭐
Write About Your Day
Write three sentences about your daily life, or the life of a family member. Use a different action verb in each sentence.
Example: I eat breakfast at 7 AM. My brother goes to school. My mother works at the market.
Key Vocabulary
- Action Verb A word that shows something you can do (e.g., run, eat, sleep).
- Present Tense A verb tense used for actions happening now or things that are always true.
- Base Form The simplest form of a verb, without any special endings.