Super Study Notes: General English
Chapter: Your Super Helper Verbs (is, am, are, do, does, has, have)
Hello, Super Students!
Welcome to a fun adventure with some of the most important words in English! These words are like little helpers that make our sentences work. Today, we're going to learn about is, am, are, do, does, has, and have. Learning how to use them is like getting a superpower in English. It helps us talk about who we are, what we do, and what we have. Let's get started!
Part 1: The 'Being' Verbs - is, am, are
These verbs tell us about someone or something's state of being – who they are, what they are, or where they are. Think of them as linking words that connect a person or thing to their description.
Meet the 'Being' Team and Their Best Friends!
Each of these verbs has its own "best friend" words (subjects) it likes to hang out with. It's easy to remember!
- am is best friends with I. They are always together!
Example: I am a student.
Example: I am happy. - is is for just ONE person or thing (singular). It hangs out with He, She, It, or a single name.
Example: He is my brother.
Example: The cat is sleepy.
Example: Maria is tall. - are is for MORE THAN ONE person or thing (plural). It also hangs out with You, We, and They.
Example: You are my friend.
Example: We are a team.
Example: The dogs are playful.
How to Ask Questions (It's a simple swap!)
To ask a question with these words, you just swap the verb and its best friend!
Statement: He is sad.
Question: Is he sad?
Statement: They are at school.
Question: Are they at school?
Making Negative Sentences (Just add 'not'!)
To say 'no', you just add the word not after the verb.
Example: I am not tired.
Example: She is not a teacher. (We can also say: She isn't a teacher.)
Example: They are not from our class. (We can also say: They aren't from our class.)
Key Takeaway for 'is, am, are'
I ---> am
He / She / It / One thing ---> is
You / We / They / More than one thing ---> are
Part 2: The 'Doing' Verbs - do, does
These are our 'Action Helpers'! We use them when we talk about actions or 'doing' things. They mostly help us ask questions and make negative sentences about actions.
Meet the 'Doing' Duo and Their Friends!
Just like before, they have their favourite friends.
- does is for just ONE person or thing (singular). It hangs out with He, She, It, or a single name.
Memory Trick: Words for one person often end in 's' (like he runs), and so does does! - do hangs out with I, You, We, and They.
How to Ask Questions about Actions
Put Do or Does at the very beginning of the sentence!
Statement: You like apples.
Question: Do you like apples?
Statement: He plays football.
Question: Does he play football?
Oops! A Common Mistake: When you use Does, the action word (verb) loses its 's'.
Correct: Does he play football?
Incorrect: Does he plays football?
Making Negative Sentences about Actions
To say 'no' for an action, we use do not (don't) or does not (doesn't).
Example: I do not like rainy days. (I don't like rainy days.)
Example: She does not live here. (She doesn't live here.)
Key Takeaway for 'do, does'
I / You / We / They ---> do / don't
He / She / It / One thing ---> does / doesn't
Remember: After 'does' or 'doesn't', the action verb has no 's'!
Part 3: The 'Having' Verbs - has, have
These are the 'Possession Pals'! They show that something belongs to someone. 'To have' something means you own it or possess it.
Meet the 'Having' Pair and Their Friends!
The rule is very similar to 'do' and 'does'.
- has is for just ONE person or thing (singular). It's for He, She, It, or a single name.
Memory Trick: Has ends with an 's' for singular!
Example: She has a new bag.
Example: A dog has four legs. - have is for I, You, We, and They.
Example: I have a blue pencil.
Example: We have a test today.
How to Ask Questions about Possession
We use our friends Do and Does to help us ask questions with have.
Super Important Rule: When you ask a question with Do or Does, you ALWAYS use have. You never use 'has' in the question!
Statement: You have a pet.
Question: Do you have a pet?
Statement: He has a bicycle.
Question: Does he have a bicycle?
Oops! A Common Mistake: Don't use 'has' after 'does'.
Correct: Does she have any snacks?
Incorrect: Does she has any snacks?
Making Negative Sentences about Possession
Again, we use do not (don't) and does not (doesn't) to help. And we always use have.
Example: We do not have homework. (We don't have homework.)
Example: He does not have a sister. (He doesn't have a sister.)
Did you know? Sometimes, especially in storybooks, you might see questions like "Have you any pets?". This is also correct, but using "Do you have..." is very common today!
Key Takeaway for 'has, have'
I / You / We / They ---> have
He / She / It / One thing ---> has
For questions and negatives, ALWAYS use do/does + have.
Wow, you did it! You've learned about your seven super helper verbs. It might seem like a lot, but you use these words all the time. The more you read and listen, the easier it will get. Keep practicing, and you'll be an English superstar! Don't worry if you make mistakes – that's how we learn!