We start our grammar journey with the most important truth in English: every complete sentence needs a subject and a verb. Without one, our idea feels unfinished, like a bridge missing half its length.
What makes a sentence complete?
A subject tells who or what we are talking about.
A verb tells what happens, what the subject is, or what it has or does.
Together, they express one complete thought.
Let us look at a few examples.
Understanding form and meaning
Every word has a form (its shape) and a meaning (the idea it expresses).
When we learn grammar, we must always connect both. If we focus only on form, we get correct-looking sentences that sound wrong. If we focus only on meaning, we may miss the correct structure. A good sentence has both.
The simple present tense
The first verb form we use is the simple present. It helps us express facts, habits, schedules, and definitions.
How we form it
- I / you / we / they → base form of the verb
I read. They play. We work.
- He / she / it → base form + –s or –es
He reads. She watches. It goes.
- Negative: use do not (don’t) or does not (doesn’t) + base verb
I do not drive. She does not drive.
- Question: use Do/Does + subject + base verb?
Do you drive? Does she drive?
This small “–s” in “he/she/it” is called subject–verb agreement. English uses it to show that the subject and verb match.
The difference between simple present and present progressive
We often confuse these two.
- Simple present: shows habits, facts, and schedules.
I drink coffee every morning.
- Present progressive (am/is/are + verb–ing): shows what is happening right now.
I am drinking coffee right now.
If we say, I am drinking coffee every morning, it sounds like a temporary plan, not a long-term habit.
Common mistakes
Forgetting the “–s” for he/she/it.
❌ She read every day. → ✅ She reads every day.
Mixing tenses.
❌ I am read every night. → ✅ I read every night.
Leaving out a subject or verb.
❌ In the park. → ✅ The children play in the park.
Quick self-check
Try to complete these sentences:
He ____ videos every night.
The bus ____ at 6:00 a.m.
I ____ my homework after dinner.
Does she ____ tea or coffee?
(Answers: watches, leaves, do, prefer)
Final Note: Every sentence must have a subject and a verb. Once we master this, we can build any kind of sentence. The simple present tense helps us express what is true, regular, or scheduled. If we use it correctly, we make our thoughts sound natural and complete.
Definitions
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Subject: The person or thing we talk about.
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Verb: The word that shows an action, state, or possession.
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Simple present: The present tense form used for facts, habits, and schedules.
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Form: The structure or spelling of a word.
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Meaning: The idea the word expresses.
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Subject–verb agreement: Matching the subject and verb in number and person.
Subject-verb Agreement
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