Main Verbs — How to Distinguish Them from Be Verbs

All verbs other than be verbs are called “main verbs.” Verbs such as play, study, like, and go express actions or states. A be verb and a main verb cannot be used together in the same sentence (× I am play tennis. → ○ I play tennis.).

Basic Rules

The affirmative form of a sentence with a main verb follows the word order “subject + main verb + object, etc.” With first-person, second-person, and plural subjects, use the verb in its basic form. When the subject is third-person singular (he / she / it), add -s / -es to the verb. This is the third-person singular s. In negative sentences, use “subject + do/does not + base form,” and in questions, use “Do/Does + subject + base form?” Unlike be verbs, main verbs use do / does as auxiliary verbs. Remember it this way: the be verb itself makes negatives and questions, while main verbs borrow do / does.

Important Points

① Rules for the third-person singular s: Usually add -s, but add -es to verbs ending in -s / -sh / -ch / -x / -o (goes, watches, does). For verbs ending in consonant+y, change y to i and add -es (study → studies). Have has the special form has.
② In negatives and questions, the base form must follow do / does (× Does he likes 〜? → ○ Does he like 〜?). You can think of the third-person singular s as being “absorbed” by do/does.
③ Do not confuse be verbs with main verbs (× I am play soccer. ○ I play soccer.). Distinguish them as follows: “explains the subject’s state = be verb”; “the subject does something = main verb.”

Practice

1. Write “My brother plays tennis” in English. Pay attention to the third-person singular s.
2. Write “She does not watch television” in English.
3. Write “Do you like music?” in English and answer Yes / No.