Welcome to Lesson 9: Positive Statements.
In Lessons 6–8, you learned how to use three important English verbs:
to be – to have – to do
Now you will use what you have learned to build positive statements.
Use Google Translate if you need help.
What Is a Positive Statement?
A positive statement tells us that something is, happens, exists, or is true.
A positive statement is sometimes called an affirmative statement.
Examples
I am a student.
She has a car.
They study English.
He does his homework every night.
Each sentence gives us information without making it negative or asking a question.
Start with the Subject
Remember that the subject tells us who or what is doing or being something.
Most basic English statements begin with:
Subject + Verb
Examples
Bob works.
She studies.
They eat.
We can add more information:
Bob works at a restaurant.
She studies English every day.
They eat dinner at six o’clock.
Positive Statements with “To Be”
With to be, choose am, is, or are to agree with the subject.
| Subject | Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | am | I am ready. |
| you | are | You are ready. |
| he / she / it | is | She is ready. |
| we / they | are | They are ready. |
Examples
I am happy.
He is a teacher.
She is at work.
We are students.
They are tired.
Positive Statements with “To Have”
With to have, choose have or has.
I / you / we / they → have
he / she / it → has
Examples
I have a car.
You have a question.
He has a job.
She has two children.
We have English class today.
They have a new house.
Positive Statements with “To Do”
When do is the main verb, choose do or does.
I / you / we / they → do
he / she / it → does
Examples
I do my homework.
She does the dishes.
We do our exercises.
He does a good job.
They do their work.
Positive Statements with Other Verbs
English has many other verbs.
Examples
work – live – study – speak – eat – like – drive
With I, you, we, and they, we usually use the base form of the verb.
I work.
You live in California.
We study English.
They speak Spanish.
With he, she, and it, we usually add -s or -es to the verb in the simple present tense.
He works.
She lives in California.
Bob studies English.
Maria watches television.
Subject and Verb Must Agree
The subject and verb need to work together correctly. This is called subject-verb agreement.
Correct
I am happy.
She is happy.
They are happy.
I have a car.
He has a car.
They have a car.
I work every day.
She works every day.
Incorrect
I is happy. ✗
She are happy. ✗
He have a car. ✗
They has a car. ✗
She work every day. ✗
Build a Complete Positive Statement
A basic positive statement needs a subject and a verb.
It also needs to express a complete thought.
Subject + Verb
Bob works.
Subject + Verb + More Information
Bob works every day.
Bob works at a restaurant.
Bob works at a restaurant every day.
A sentence can grow by adding more information while keeping the same basic foundation.
Practice
Choose the correct verb.
- I (am / is) a student.
- She (have / has) a car.
- They (do / does) their homework.
- He (work / works) every day.
- We (am / are) ready.
- Maria (study / studies) English.
- My parents (has / have) a house.
- Bob (do / does) a good job.
Build the Sentence
Put the words in the correct order.
- English / I / study
- teacher / is / She / a
- car / He / a / has
- homework / They / their / do
- every day / works / Bob
Remember
A positive statement gives information without making it negative or asking a question.
Start with:
Subject + Verb
Make sure the subject and verb agree.
Then add more information when needed.
I am a student.
She has a car.
He does his homework.
They study English.
Goal
After completing this lesson, you should be able to:
- Recognize a positive statement.
- Build a basic positive statement using a subject and verb.
- Use to be, to have, and to do in positive statements.
- Use other common verbs in positive statements.
- Match the correct verb form with the subject.
- Add information to create more complete sentences.