Explanation
Some verbs are main verbs. Some verbs are helping verbs.
In "I am reading a book," "am" is the helping verb, and "reading" is the main verb. "A book" is the thing I am reading. In "I am tired," "am" is the main verb, and "tired" describes my state.
In "Do you play tennis?", "do" helps make the question, and "play" stays in the base form. Japanese often uses "〜ている" or "です" for these ideas, so English learners must choose the right helper and put it in the right place.
動詞には、意味の中心になる主動詞と、それを助ける助動詞があります。
"I am reading a book." では、"am" が助動詞で、"reading" が主動詞です。"a book" は「読むもの」です。"I am tired." では、"am" が主動詞で、"tired" は「疲れている」という状態を表します。
"Do you play tennis?" では、"do" が疑問文を作る助動詞で、"play" は原形のままです。日本語では「〜ている」や「〜です」で表せるので、英語では助動詞を忘れず、正しい位置に置くことが大切です。
Examples
- I am tired. 私は疲れています。
- She is a teacher. 彼女は先生です。
- I am reading a book. 私は本を読んでいます。
- Are you ready? 準備はできていますか。
- I don't like spicy food. 私は辛い食べ物が好きではありません。
- He can swim very well. 彼はとても上手に泳げます。
Common Mistakes
Japanese learners often leave out the helping verb.
Wrong: "I reading now."
Right: "I am reading now."
Wrong: "You like coffee?"
Right: "Do you like coffee?"
Wrong: "I not like coffee."
Right: "I don't like coffee."
In English, the helper must be there, and the main verb often stays in a base form after it.
日本語の影響で、助動詞を落としてしまう間違いがよくあります。
誤: "I reading now."
正: "I am reading now."
誤: "You like coffee?"
正: "Do you like coffee?"
誤: "I not like coffee."
正: "I don't like coffee."
英語では助動詞を必ず入れ、主動詞はそのあとで形を変えることが多いです。