[Grammar] What is a base verb?

[indonesia]

Me and my friend have been having a debate as to what exactly a 'base verb' is?

In the sentence, 'I play football.' Is 'play' called a base verb?

and what about, 'He plays football.' What is the name now for the verb (with the 's' added)?

 

[The French]

Me and my friend have been having a debate as to what exactly a 'base verb' is?

In the sentence, 'I play football.' Is 'play' called a base verb?

and what about, 'He plays football.' What is the name now for the verb (with the 's' added)?

Hello, I am not a teacher,

but for me the base verb is the infinitive of the verb without 'to'. Note, the base form is still the same, like 'play'. In your case for 'plays' the base form is play without the 's' which is just a mark for the third person (He, she it).

Have a nice day.

 

[bhaisahab]

Hello, I am not a teacher,

but for me the base verb is the infinitive of the verb without 'to'. Note, the base form is still the same, like 'play'. In your case for 'plays' the base form is play without the 's' which is just a mark for the third person (He, she it).

Have a nice day.

That's right, the base verb is the bare infinitive (without to) and "plays" in the OP's sentence is the third person singular form of the verb.

 

[RonBee]

The base form is the form that we usually think of first when we think of that verb. Here is a list of 600 of the most common regular verbs:
.

Regular Verbs List
​

.
(Only the base forms need to be mentioned, because the verbs are regular (play, played, playing, for example).

Here is a list of irregular verbs:
.

English Irregular Verbs - UsingEnglish.com
​

.
(Since the verbs are irregular, all the forms are mentioned to help those not familiar with those verbs.)

 

[The French]

That's right, the base verb is the bare infinitive (without to) and "plays" in the OP's sentence is the third person singular form of the verb.

Hi teacher,

As I see you are still fast like Lucky Luke:-D, But I would to understand what do you mean by 'OP's'. I know it's easy for you to explain me this point. Whatever that I have an idea, but I do not like to be in the haze.

Note: I am not sure about my construction 'whatever +that':-(

Thanks.

 

[bhaisahab]

Hi teacher,

As I see you are still fast like Lucky Luke:-D, But I would to understand what do you mean by 'OP's'. I know it's easy for you to explain me this point. Whatever that I have an idea, but I do not like to be in the haze.

Note: I am not sure about my construction 'whatever +that':-(

Thanks.

The OP is the Original Poster.