Grammar: A1 - Sentence Structure - Basics - Lesson 2: Simple Affirmative Statements with 'be'

✨ Lesson 2: Simple Affirmative Statements with 'be'

In our last lesson, we learned about the Subject-Verb-Object order. Today, we will focus on building affirmative statements¹ using the verb 'to be' (am, is, are).

An affirmative statement is a positive sentence that says a fact. It is not a question or a negative sentence.

Structure 1: Subject + 'be' + Adjective

We use this structure to describe the subject.

[Subject] + [am/is/are] + [Describing Word]

• I am happy.
• The weather is hot.
• The people in Kampot are friendly.

Structure 2: Subject + 'be' + Noun

We use this structure to identify² or define³ the subject. It says *what* the subject is.

[Subject] + [am/is/are] + [Name/Job/Thing]

• I am a student.
• He is a fisherman.
• They are tourists.

Structure 3: Subject + 'be' + Place

We use this structure to say where the subject is. We often use a prepositional phrase⁴.

[Subject] + [am/is/are] + [Location]

• We are in Cambodia.
• The book is on the table.
• The salt fields are near the sea.

🧠 Practice Quiz: Build the Sentence

Put the words in the correct order to make a sentence.

1. ( is / My father / a farmer )
   → My father is a farmer.
2. ( friendly / are / The people )
   → The people are friendly.
3. ( at the market / is / She )
   → She is at the market.
4. ( tired / am / I )
   → I am tired.

📝 Homework: Write Your Own Statements

Write three affirmative sentences about yourself or your town. Use each structure one time.

Example: Kampot is beautiful. (Structure 1) My mother is a cook. (Structure 2) My school is on the riverside. (Structure 3)

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1 (describe): ___________________________________

2 (identify): ___________________________________

3 (locate): ___________________________________

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Affirmative Statement: (Phrase) - ប្រយោគស្រប (brâyoŭk srŏb) - A positive sentence that states something is true. ↩
2. Identify: (Verb) - កំណត់អត្តសញ្ញាណ (kamnât âttâ'sanh'nhean) - To say who or what somebody/something is. ↩
3. Define: (Verb) - កំណត់និយមន័យ (kamnât niyum'neay) - To explain the meaning of something. ↩
4. Prepositional Phrase: (Phrase) - កន្សោមធ្នាក់ (kânsaom thneak) - A short phrase that shows location or time (e.g., in the house, on the table). ↩