1.7 The Simple Present Affirmative Statements—Form

COMPREHENSION Based on the reading, write T for true or F for false.

1. Spiders and insects are a type of animal. There are more of them on Earth than people. 2. Farmers dislike bees because they kill plants. 3. Spiders and insects don’t like human food.

THINK ABOUT IT Discuss the questions with a partner or in a small group.

1. How do the following help people? Explain with an example from the reading.

bees spiders ladybugs ants and roaches

2. Are you afraid of spiders and insects? Did the reading change your feelings about them?

A simple present tense verb has two forms: the base form and the -s form.

EXAMPLES EXPLANATION

SUBJECT BASE FORM COMPLEMENT

I You We They Many people

SUBJECT dislike insects.

-S FORM COMPLEMENT We use the base form of the verb when the subject is I, you, we, they, or a plural noun. NOTE: People is a plural noun.

He She It The child Everyone dislikes insects. We use the -s form of the verb when the subject is he, she, it, or a singular noun. NOTE: Everyone is a singular noun.

Notes: 1. Have is an irregular verb. The -s form is has. Insects have six legs. A spider has eight legs. 2. We use the -s form in the following expression: It takes (time) to do something. It takes time for bees to make honey. 3. We use the -s form after an -ing subject (gerund). Eating food waste on the ground cleans the environment.