American Accent 13 : Main Verb: Do

  • August 21, 2023
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Main Verb: Do

Now we will learn about action words called main verbs, like run, go, and work. We'll also use helping verbs to ask questions, make negatives, and add emphasis.



We'll continue using the same patterns and pronouns as earlier. Pronouns are more common and very important.



Keep in mind: Stress is on nouns. For pronouns, stress goes to the verb. Remember that 'O' sounds like 'ah,' 's' sounds like 'z,' and 'h' disappears.


These are the most commonly used verbs.


Understanding opposite verb pairs is crucial. Learn their meanings well. Remember that some words have multiple opposites, like "play" meaning both "work" and "fight."



Main verbs alter based on the person, typically by adding -s to the third-person form. This process is known as conjugating the verb.


Choose the proper form. Then read the sentences out loud, stressing the nouns.

1. Bob  ________________ English.

2. Betty (beddy)  ______________  America.

3. People  ____________ money.

4. The book  _____________  easy.

5. Teachers  ______________  tests.

6. That person  __________ a car.

7. Bob and Betty  ______________ a lot of mistakes.

Similar to what you learned about plurals in Chapter 1, when third-person verbs end in specific letters like O, X, Z, SS, SH, and CH, they add -es at the end to form the plural.


Changing Main Verbs (Adding -es)
Add -es to the verb.

She  washes    her hair every day.

1. Elsie                             to the store.         (go)
2. The manager                a lot of work.        (do)
3. Joe                         at the gym.            (box)      
4. My alarm clock         at 6:00 am.            (buzz)
5. The mother             the baby.                (kiss)
6. The boy                 the ball.                  (catch)
7. The child             the swings.            (push)

Changing Main Verbs (Adding -ies)
Change the -y to -ies. This does not include -oy, --ay, or --ey.

The student            relies        on the teacher.
1. The class              the lessons.          (study)
2. The baby              all night.              (cry)
3. She                      very hard.              (try)
4. The bird              south for the winter.    (fly)
5. The cook            eggs for breakfast.    (fry)
6. He                      doing it.                  (deny)

Changing Main Verbs (Do)
Complete the sentence, using either do or does.

1. You                     not care about good grades.
2. We                     enjoy that restaurant.
3. She                     dance really well.
4. It                        make a difference.
5. I                          need to help him.

Changing Main Verbs (Have)
Complete the sentence, using either have or has.

1. She                  a long name.
2. You                the best ideas!
3. We                  an excellent plan.
4. They              a really nice house.
5. It                    four doors.

Changing Main Verbs (Go)
Complete the sentence, using either go or goes.

1. He                    to the movies.
2. I                      up the stairs.
3. We                to the mall and shop.
4. She                out with her boyfriend.
5. They              hiking.

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