Grammar: A1 - ⚙️ Verbs in Depth: ⏳ Present Simple Tense (Action Verbs) - Lesson 4: Contrasting Present Simple "be" with Present Simple Action Verbs

✨ Lesson 4: Contrasting 'be' and Action Verbs

This is a very important lesson. A common mistake¹ for new English learners is to confuse sentences with the verb 'be' (am, is, are) and sentences with action verbs (eat, go, work). Today, we will make the difference clear.

Review: The Job of 'be' (am, is, are)

Remember, we use 'be' to describe, identify, or locate a subject. It does not show an action.

• He is a farmer. (Identifies his job)
• The pepper is spicy. (Describes the pepper)
• We are in Kampot. (Locates us)

Review: The Job of Action Verbs

We use action verbs to show what the subject does.

• He works on a farm.
• I eat the spicy pepper.
• We live in Kampot.

The Big Rule: Keep Them Separate²!

In the Present Simple tense, you can use 'be' OR you can use an action verb. You cannot use them together.

Do NOT use 'am, is, are' with an action verb in the Present Simple.

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Incorrect: She is speaks English.
Correct: She speaks English.

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Incorrect: They are work at the hotel.
Correct: They work at the hotel.

Comparison³ Table

This table shows the difference clearly.

Use 'be' to Describe/Identify	Use an Action Verb to show 'Doing'
He is a driver.	He drives a tuk-tuk.
She is a good student.	She studies every day.
They are fishermen.	They catch fish.

🧠 Practice Quiz: Choose the Correct Sentence

Read the pairs of sentences and choose the one that is grammatically correct.

1. A) I am live in Kampot.
   B) I live in Kampot.
   → Correct: B
2. A) He is tall.
   B) He is be tall.
   → Correct: A
3. A) They are play football.
   B) They play football.
   → Correct: B
4. A) The food is delicious.
   B) The food delicious.
   → Correct: A (Remember, adjectives often need the verb 'be'!)

📝 Homework: Correct the Mistakes

All of these sentences are incorrect. Rewrite them correctly.

Example: She is works in an office. → She works in an office.

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1. I am go to the market every morning.

→ ___________________________________

2. He is has a new moto.

→ ___________________________________

3. They are speak English very well.

→ ___________________________________

(Answers: 1. I go to the market every morning. 2. He has a new moto. 3. They speak English very well.)

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Common Mistake: (Phrase) - កំហុសទូទៅ (kâmhŏh too'tuh) - An error that many people make. ↩
2. Separate: (Adjective) - ដាច់ដោយឡែក (dach'daoy'laek) - Not together; apart from each other. ↩
3. Comparison: (Noun) - ការប្រៀបធៀប (kaa prĭəp'thĭəp) - The act of looking at the differences and similarities between two or more things. ↩