Grammar basics
Verbs
A verb shows an action (run, build) or a state (be, have). Every English sentence needs a verb.
What does a verb do?
A verb tells you what happens or what something is.
- Action verbs: run, write, build, eat
- State verbs: be, have, know, like
Verbs change their form
In Thai, a verb never changes. In English, a verb changes with time and with the person.
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| Base | I build websites. |
| He / she / it + -s | She builds websites. |
| Past | I built a website yesterday. |
| Now (-ing) | I am building a website now. |
These changes make the tenses. See all of them on the 12 tenses page.
Don't forget the -s
With he, she and it, add -s to the verb: he works, she codes, it runs. This is one of the most common mistakes for English learners.
Types of verbs
There are different types of verbs. Each type has its own page with more words.
| Type | What it shows | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Action verbs | Things you do | run, code, build, drink |
| Stative verbs | States and feelings | know, like, want, belong |
| Helping verbs | Help the main verb | be, do, have, will, can |
| Linking verbs | Connect the subject to a description | is, look, sound, become |
Be
To exist, or to have a quality. Its forms are am, is, are, was and were.
I am a web developer from Thailand.
Have
To own something, or to hold it.
I have two monitors on my desk.
Build
To make something by putting parts together.
I want to build an app with Django and Next.js.
Learn
To get new knowledge or a new skill.
I learn five new words every day.
Write
To put words or code on paper or on a screen.
I write a short blog post every week.
Fix
To make something work again.
It took me two hours to fix this bug.