Which sentence is incorrectly formed in the simple present tense?a)The...
Option B ("He understand the problem.") is incorrect. The correct form is 'understands' to match the singular third-person subject 'He'. In simple present tense, verbs typically add 's' or 'es' with third-person singular nouns.
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Which sentence is incorrectly formed in the simple present tense?a)The...
Understanding Simple Present Tense
The simple present tense is used to describe habitual actions, general truths, and facts. It typically follows a structure where the base form of the verb is used for subjects such as I, you, we, and they, while third-person singular subjects (he, she, it) require an "s" or "es" at the end of the verb.
Identifying the Incorrect Sentence
In the provided options, the incorrect sentence is:
- b) He understand the problem.
This sentence does not adhere to the rules of the simple present tense for the third-person singular subject "he."
Correct Formulation
The correct form should be:
- He understands the problem.
Here’s why:
- Third-Person Singular Rule:
- For subjects like he, she, or it, the verb must be conjugated with an "s" or "es."
- Examples for Clarity:
- Correct: She runs every morning.
- Incorrect: She run every morning.
Review of the Other Options
Let’s confirm that the other sentences are correctly formed:
- a) The Earth orbits the sun.
- Correctly uses "orbits" for the third-person singular subject "The Earth."
- c) Cats chase mice.
- This is correct as "chase" is used with the plural subject "Cats."
- d) Trees lose their leaves in autumn.
- Correctly uses "lose" with the plural subject "Trees."
Conclusion
In summary, option b is incorrect due to the failure to apply the proper conjugation of the verb "understand" for the third-person singular subject. Understanding these rules is crucial for mastering the simple present tense in English grammar.