Lesson 2: Basic Verb Endings for Tenses
Word Formation & Morphology (A2)
In our last lesson, we saw how nouns change for plurals. Verbs also change! Verbs change their form to tell us *when* an action happens. This is called "tense1". This lesson will show you the most common verb endings2 we add to talk about the past and the present.
Rule 1: Simple Present - The "-s" Ending
You know this rule! It shows an action that happens regularly. For he, she, and it, we add -s to the base verb3.
- I work ➞ He works.
- They play ➞ She plays.
- We eat ➞ The cat eats.
Rule 2: Simple Past - The "-ed" Ending
To talk about a regular action that finished in the past (like yesterday), we usually add -ed to the end of the verb.
- work ➞ worked (I worked yesterday.)
- play ➞ played (We played football last week.)
- watch ➞ watched (She watched TV last night.)
Rule 3: Present Progressive - The "-ing" Ending
To talk about an action that is happening *right now*, we use the verb 'to be' (am, is, are) and add -ing to the main verb.
- work ➞ working (I am working right now.)
- play ➞ playing (He is playing football.)
- eat ➞ eating (They are eating lunch.)
Usage Note: Spelling Rules for Endings
Be careful! Sometimes the spelling of the base verb changes when you add an ending.
- For -ed: If a verb ends in 'e', just add '-d'. (like ➞ liked). If it ends in 'consonant + y', change 'y' to 'i'. (study ➞ studied).
- For -ing: If a verb ends in 'e', remove the 'e'. (write ➞ writing). For a short verb with one vowel + one consonant, double the last letter. (run ➞ running).
In Conversation
Maria asks Srey about her day.
Maria: Hi Srey! What are you doing right now?
Srey: I am studying for my English test. I study every evening.
Maria: You are a good student! What did you do yesterday?
Srey: Yesterday, I worked all day. After work, I watched a movie with my family.
Maria: That sounds nice. My brother is playing football outside right now. He plays every Wednesday.
Srey: Oh, fun! Is he enjoying it?
Maria: Yes, he always enjoys playing sports.
quiz Check Your Understanding
1. Which sentence talks about an action happening *right now*?
- a) I walked to school.
- b) I am walking to school.
- c) I walk to school.
Click to see the answer
Answer: b) I am walking to school. (Present Progressive)
2. What is the correct past tense of the verb 'study'?
- a) studyed
- b) study-ed
- c) studied
Click to see the answer
Answer: c) studied
3. Choose the correct verb form: "He ______ in a hotel."
- a) work
- b) works
- c) is work
Click to see the answer
Answer: b) works (Simple present for 'he')
edit Your Mission
- My Timeline: Write three sentences: one about yesterday (past), one about a daily habit (present), and one about what you are doing now (progressive). (e.g., "Yesterday, I played football. I drink coffee every morning. I am doing my homework.")
- Verb Practice: Take three verbs (e.g., talk, help, listen). Write their three forms: Base (talk), Past (talked), Progressive (talking).
- Speak: Your mission is to tell a friend one thing you did yesterday and one thing you are doing now.
book Lesson Glossary
- Tense (noun) - Khmer: កាល (kal) - A form of a verb that shows the time an action happened. ↩
- Verb Ending (noun phrase) - Khmer: បច្ច័យកិរិយាស័ព្ទ (pach-chay ke-ri-ya-sap) - Letters added to the end of a verb to change its tense. ↩
- Base Verb (noun phrase) - Khmer: កិរិយាស័ព្ទដើម (ke-ri-ya-sap daem) - The simple, original form of a verb with no endings. ↩
- Simple Present (tense) - Khmer: បច្ចុប្បន្នកាលធម្មតា (pach-chob-ban-na-kal thommada) - Used for habits and facts. ↩
- Simple Past (tense) - Khmer: អតីតកាលធម្មតា (a-tei-ta-kal thommada) - Used for actions that finished in the past. ↩
- Present Progressive (tense) - Khmer: បច្ចុប្បន្នកាលកំពុងបន្ត (pach-chob-ban-na-kal kom-pung ban-tɑɑ) - Used for actions happening right now. ↩