Pre-A1 Starter can, imperatives and the present simple
Present simple: like, want, have
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can say what you like, want and have, and ask others with Do you…?
When to use it
- Saying what you like: I like music.
- Saying what you want: I want a new bike.
- Saying what you have: We have two dogs.
- Asking a friend: Do you like football?
Form
| Type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | I / you / we / they + verb | I like tea. |
| Negative | … + don't + verb | I don't like tea. |
| Question | Do + subject + verb…? | Do you like tea? |
| Short answer | Yes, … do. / No, … don't. | Yes, I do. / No, I don't. |
Step by step
- This lesson uses the subjects I, you, we, they — the verb stays the same.
- For the negative, put don't right before the verb.
- For a question, put Do at the front; the verb stays the same.
- Short answers: Yes, I do. or No, I don't.
Three sentences, one idea
| Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|
| I like fish. | I don't like fish. | Do you like fish? |
| We have a car. | We don't have a car. | Do you have a car? |
| They want water. | They don't want water. | Do they want water? |
Examples
I like English songs.
We have two cats at home.
They want some water.
I don't like cold weather.
Do you like ice cream? — Yes, I do.
Do they have a dog? — No, they don't.
Common mistakes
I no like coffee. → I don't like coffee.
Vietnamese just adds a negative word; English needs don't before the verb.
You like coffee? → Do you like coffee?
An English question needs Do at the front, not just a rising tone.
I am like pizza. → I like pizza.
The sentence already has the verb like, so no am. One main verb per sentence.
Memory tip
The three sentences differ in one place only: add don't for the negative, put Do in front for the question. The verb never changes.
Summary
- I, you, we, they + base verb.
- Negative: don't + verb. Question: Do + subject + verb?
- Short answers: Yes, I do. / No, I don't.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.