Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 4 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 4
Plain present with verbs
Recognize plain present and plain past forms in short sentences.
Start with the example
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I get up at seven every day.
A plain-form habit sentence often sounds short and direct.
Notice the variation
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I will meet a friend on Saturday.
With , the plain form can point to a future plan.
More detail: how to apply this
The plain present is the dictionary form.
It can describe a habit, a general fact, or a future action when a time word makes the timing clear.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Compare the ending with the time phrase; plain style does not erase the difference between now and before.
changes the adjective to past: the bag was cheap last year as well. The price is described at two different times.
。。
This bag is cheap. It was cheap last year too.
Compare the ending with the time phrase; plain style does not erase the difference between now and before.
Showing Try this approach: Everyday words.
Target signal
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I get up at seven every day.
A plain-form habit sentence often sounds short and direct.
Vocabulary notes
- 毎日
- every day
- 七時
- seven o’clock
- 起きる
- to wake up
Compare in context
。
I will meet a friend on Saturday.
With , the plain form can point to a future plan.
Vocabulary notes
- 土曜日
- Saturday
- 友だち
- friend
- 会う
- to meet
Compare in context
。
My mother reads books.
The dictionary form also describes repeated actions or regular behavior.
Vocabulary notes
- は
- topic marker
- を
- object marker
- 読む
- to read
Section 2 of 4
Plain past with verbs
Plain past with verbs
Start with the example
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I went to the library yesterday.
A past time word helps you read as a completed action.
Notice the variation
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I arrived at the station a little while ago.
makes the arrival feel recent and finished.
More detail: how to apply this
The plain past shows that an action finished.
It appears very often in short stories, diaries, quotes, and casual conversation.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
I went to the library yesterday.
A past time word helps you read as a completed action.
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I went to the library yesterday.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: I went to the library yesterday.
Showing Plain past with verbs: Everyday words.
Target signal
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I went to the library yesterday.
A past time word helps you read as a completed action.
Vocabulary notes
- 昨日
- yesterday
- 図書館
- library
- へ
- toward; to
Preview
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I arrived at the station a little while ago.
makes the arrival feel recent and finished.
Vocabulary notes
- さっき
- a moment ago; just now
Preview
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I watched a movie last week.
The past plain form is common in casual narration.
Vocabulary notes
- 先週
- last week
- を
- object marker
Section 3 of 4
Plain forms with nouns and adjectives
Compare the ending with the time phrase; plain style does not erase the difference between now and before.
Plain forms with nouns and adjectives
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Step 1 of 3 · Notice the clue
is the plain nonpast adjective: the bag is cheap now. It does not need after it.
Step 1: Notice the clue
More detail: the reading method
Nouns and -adjectives use in the plain present and in the plain past.
-adjectives stay in dictionary form in the plain present and change to 〜 in the plain past.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
I am a student. I was also a student last year.
Nouns use now and for the past.
。。
I am a student. I was also a student last year.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: I am a student. I was also a student last year.
Showing Plain forms with nouns and adjectives: Everyday words.
More examples
Target signal
。。
I am a student. I was also a student last year.
Nouns use now and for the past.
Vocabulary notes
- 学生
- student
- 去年
- last year
Preview
。。
This shop is quiet. It was quiet before too.
-adjectives follow the same / pattern.
Vocabulary notes
- この
- this
Preview
。。
This bag is cheap. It was cheap last year too.
-adjectives keep their plain present form and change to 〜 in the plain past.
Vocabulary notes
- この
- this
- かばん
- bag
- 去年
- last year
Section 4 of 4
Compare the meaning
Use the contrast to make a decision. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.
Example A
Example B
Your turn · decide before revealing
How do these two examples change the meaning?
More detail: what changes and why
Compare and .
is the plain past of .
The consonant change belongs to its conjugation.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Same words, two possible interpretations. Which has evidence?
is the plain past of . The consonant change belongs to its conjugation.
How do these two examples change the meaning?
Supported meaning: Writes/will write / wrote
Use the sentence to choose between these interpretations; do not add information that is only in an answer choice.
Showing Compare the meaning: Everyday words.