Verb Conjugation
Verb conjugation refers to how a verb changes to indicate a different person, number, tense, or mood
Verb conjugation refers to how a verb changes to indicate a different person, number, tense, or mood.
I'm a student. (1st person, singular, present simple, indicative mood)
Verbs should be conjugated with regards to person. Depending on the subject, a verb can stand in the first, second, or third person. Study the following table:
| Singular | Plural | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st person | I | we |
| 2nd person | you | you |
| 3rd person | he/she/it | they |
As you can see, the pronouns I, we refer to the first person; you - to the second person; he, she, it, they - to the third person.
We work on Saturdays (first person)
You need to take a break (second person)
It is snowing outside (third person)
Usually we assume the person of the verb in the sentence automatically as we almost always state a subject explicitly.
Sarah has signed up for a yoga class (Sarah can be substituted with the pronoun she; the verb is in the third person)
Note that the verb to be is irregular and has 3 forms in present tenses and 2 forms in past tenses. These forms depend on the person expressed by the subject.
| Present | Past | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st person | I am | we are | I was | we were |
| 2nd person | you are | you are | you were | you were |
| 3rd person | he/she/it is | they are | he/she/it was | they were |
Guided Practice
Substitute the subject with the correct pronoun.
- Mrs. Glare is the friendliest person on earth!
- A bird is sitting on my windowsill.
- The Lakers are going to stay at our place for 3 days.
Fill in the gaps with the verb to be in the correct form.
- My parents .................... watching a movie. Steve .................... playing outside, and I .................... melting on the couch.
- Will you .................... free tonight. I'd really appreciate if we could spend the evening together.
- It .................... so cold yesterday! And as always, I had already put my winter clothes away into the closet.
Short Story using Verb Conjugation
-When I was your age, I wanted to become a nurse. I liked the idea of helping people when they need it the most.
-Why aren't you a nurse then, grandma?
-Well, sweetie, we grow up, and sometimes our goals change. I'm a teacher now, and I have never regretted my choice.
-And you are helping people anyway!
-That's true!
Independent Practice
Decide whether the verb stands in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd person.
- Why can't we find a common ground?
- You should be attentive to details.
- These jeans are too tight!
- I was too shy to say a word.
- The Potts will be attending the ceremony as well.
Fill in the gaps with the verb to be in the correct form.
- You must .................... kidding me! How .................... this possible?
- If we .................... invited, we need to think of a present.
- We have .................... here for ages! We can't wait any longer.
- Someone called you when you .................... running outside.
- I .................... so frustated! Why .................... it so difficult to find a paid internship now?