📋 Video Summary

🎯 Overview

This video is Lesson 18 of a practical English course for beginners, using the English Galaxy app. The lesson focuses on the crucial difference between using the verb "to be" and not using it in Present Simple tense, providing examples and practice exercises. The video aims to help learners understand when to use "am/is/are" and when to use the base form of the verb.

📌 Main Topic

The core theme is understanding and practicing the correct usage of "to be" (am, is, are) in Present Simple sentences in English, contrasting it with sentences using regular verbs.

🔑 Key Points

• 1. "To Be" vs. Regular Verbs [0:00:40]

- When using a regular verb in Present Simple (e.g., "I work"), you do not use "to be."

- When there's no verb, "to be" is essential (e.g., "I am at work").

• 2. Examples with Regular Verbs [0:01:50]

- "It interests me" - the verb "interest" is used, so no "to be".

- "She looks young" - "looks" is the verb, so no "to be". - "They live together" - "live" is the verb, so no "to be".

• 3. Examples with "To Be" [0:01:54]

- "It is interesting" - no verb, so "is" is used.

- "She is very young" - no verb, so "is" is used. - "It is in the box" - no verb, so "is" is used. - "They are together" - no verb, so "are" is used.

• 4. Common Phrases [0:10:06]

- Memorize phrases like "at work," "at school," and "at university" - no verb, so "to be" is needed.

• 5. Exceptions: Adjectives [0:18:15]

- Adjectives like "tired" and "afraid" require the "to be" form (I am tired, He is afraid).

• 6. Exceptions: The Verb "Agree" [0:20:12]

- The verb "agree" is a regular verb and does not require "to be" (I agree).

💡 Important Insights

• • Identifying Verbs: The key is to identify whether a sentence already contains a verb. If it does, "to be" is usually not needed. [0:00:40]
• • Present Simple Tense: This lesson specifically focuses on the Present Simple tense, where these rules apply. [0:00:40]
• • Practice is Crucial: The video emphasizes the importance of practice to solidify understanding. [0:00:37]

📖 Notable Examples & Stories

• • "I work" vs "I am at work": The video uses these two examples to illustrate the main point: one with a verb, one without. [0:00:43]
• • "It interests me" vs "It is interesting": These contrasting examples clearly show the difference between using a verb and using "to be." [0:01:50]
• • "She studies at university" vs "She is at university": Further contrasting examples clearly show the difference between using a verb and using "to be." [0:10:56]

🎓 Key Takeaways

• 1. Distinguish between sentences with regular verbs and those without; this determines whether you use "to be."
• 2. Memorize common phrases like "at work," "at school," and "at university" and understand that they require "to be."
• 3. Practice regularly using the English Galaxy app or other resources to reinforce your understanding.

✅ Action Items

□ Practice forming sentences in Present Simple, paying close attention to whether you need "to be" or not. □ Use the English Galaxy app to complete exercises on this topic.

🔍 Conclusion

The video effectively explains the essential difference between using "to be" or not in the Present Simple tense, providing clear examples and practical advice. By focusing on identifying verbs and practicing regularly, learners can master this fundamental aspect of English grammar.