Lesson 7: Writing Simple Sentences with Subject-Verb
We have learned how to use capital letters and punctuation. Now, we will learn about the two most important parts inside every sentence: the Subject1 and the Verb2. Understanding these will help you write correct, complete sentences.
What are the Parts of a Sentence?
Think of a sentence like a bicycle. It needs two wheels to work. A sentence needs two parts:
- The Subject is the "who" or "what" of the sentence. It is the person or thing doing the action. (Examples: I, the dog, my mother, Srey)
- The Verb is the "action" word. It is what the subject does or is. (Examples: eats, runs, works, is, like)
Look at how they work together:
Srey works.
( Subject + Verb )
Good Example (Complete Sentence) ✅
He sleeps. (We know WHO sleeps.)
Bad Example (Incomplete) ❌
Sleeps. (Who sleeps? We don't know the subject.)
A Simple Verb Rule: The '-s'
In English, when the subject is one person or thing (like He, She, It, Dara, the cat), we often add an -s to the verb.
| Subject | Verb (Example) |
|---|---|
| I, You, We, They | like durian. |
| He, She, It, Dara | likes durian. |
| The dogs | run fast. |
| The dog | runs fast. |
✍️ Simple Sentence Checklist
Check every sentence you write:
- ✔️ Does it have a Subject (who or what)?
- ✔️ Does it have a Verb (the action)?
- ✔️ Does it start with a capital letter?
- ✔️ Does it end with a full stop (.) or question mark (?)?
🧠 Practice Quiz: Choose the Correct Verb
Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence.
1. I ( work / works ) in Kampot.
Answer: work (With 'I', we don't add -s.)
2. She ( speak / speaks ) English.
Answer: speaks (With 'She', we add -s.)
3. The restaurant ( open / opens ) at 7 AM.
Answer: opens ('The restaurant' is one thing, like 'It'.)
4. They ( live / lives ) near the river.
Answer: live (With 'They', we don't add -s.)
📝 Homework: Build Your Own Sentences
Get your notebook and pen to practice building sentences.
Part 1: Match the Subject and Verb
Draw a line to connect the subjects on the left with a verb phrase on the right to make a good sentence.
- 1. My father a. are students.
- 2. The coconuts b. works in a hotel.
- 3. We c. are delicious.
(Answers: 1-b, 2-c, 3-a)
Part 2: Write About Your Family
Write three simple sentences about your family or friends. Use the checklist to make sure they are correct.
Example Answers:
- My mother cooks every day.
- My brother plays football.
- I love my family.
Vocabulary Glossary
- Subject: (Noun) - ប្រធាន - The person or thing that performs the action of the verb. The "who" or "what" of a sentence. ↩
- Verb: (Noun) - កិរិយាស័ព្ទ - The word that expresses an action or a state of being. ↩
- Action: (Noun) - សកម្មភាព - The process of doing something. ↩
- Sentence Structure: (Noun) - រចនាសម្ព័ន្ធប្រយោគ - The way a sentence is arranged or built.