Word Forms and Simple Present Tense (Coursera)

Word Forms and Simple Present Tense (Coursera)

In this course, “Word Forms and Simple Present Tense,” you will learn about different word forms, like nouns, proper nouns, plural forms and singular forms. You will learn when to use the articles “a” and “an.” You will also learn about the BE verb in English, how to form it and when to use it. Then you will learn how to form other verbs in the simple present, including some spelling rules, and how to make negative forms.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Course 1 of 3 in the Learn English: Beginning Grammar Specialization

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Introduction & BE Verb
In this first week, we will look at word forms. You learn about different kinds of words like nouns, verbs, and adjectives. Then you will learn about different kinds of nouns. You will learn about plural and singular nouns, how to make spelling changes, and when to use the articles “a” and “an.” You will also learn about verbs in the simple present. We will start with the BE verb. BE is very common. We use it all of the time.

WEEK 2
Simple Present
This week, we will look at other verbs in the simple present. You will learn how to form and use the simple present. You will also learn about the different spelling changes that happen when you add an “s” to a verb in the simple present. You will also learn about possessive adjectives and the apostrophe “s” to show someone has something.

WEEK 3
Simple Present Negative
This week, you will learn more about the simple present. We will look at how to form the negative for the BE verb and for all other verbs. The BE verb always has rules that are different from other verbs. You will also learn how to use “There is” and “There are” to describe things in a place.

WEEK 4
Yes/No Questions
This week, we will start with how to ask yes/no questions using the BE verb. Then, you will practice asking questions using “Is there...?” and “Are there...?” Finally, You will learn how to use “do” and “does” to ask yes/no questions in the simple present.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

English and Academic Preparation - Grad Track (Coursera) Coursera
Rice University

English and Academic Preparation - Grad Track (Coursera)

The English and Academic Preparation – Grad Track course is for students with a (minimum) advanced level of English. It is designed to help international students strengthen their English while developing academic skills necessary for success in graduate studies at an American university. Ideally, prospective students have completed or are near completion of a bachelor’s degree in their country and would like to come to the United States to study for a master’s or doctorate degree.

Nov 2nd 2026
4 Weeks
Business English: Marketing and Sales (Coursera) Coursera
Arizona State University

Business English: Marketing and Sales (Coursera)

If you work in marketing, sales, or advertising, you already know that effective communication is a requirement. This can be even more difficult when expressing your ideas in a persuasive manner in English. In this course, you will learn to use English more efficiently while joining successful global professionals around the world.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
A Bridge to the World: Korean Language for Beginners Ⅰ (Coursera) Coursera
Sungkyunkwan University - SKKU

A Bridge to the World: Korean Language for Beginners Ⅰ (Coursera)

This course is an introductory course to Korean language that aims to cultivate basic communication skill for those that are interested in learning Korean language. The course is composed of essential expressions that are often used in everyday life, and designed to teach grammars using basic dialogues which reflect colloquial characteristics of Korean language so by end of this course, a student will be able to express him/herself on ordinary topics.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Business English: Finance and Economics (Coursera) Coursera
Arizona State University

Business English: Finance and Economics (Coursera)

Do you work in finance or interact with finance professionals? Is it necessary to speak, write or understand English in your career? Follow the authentic characters in this course as they work through common business situations in finance and economics. Learn from your successes and failure, and think critically about your own communication options.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Translation in Practice (Coursera) Coursera
Nanjing University

Translation in Practice (Coursera)

This course offers you basic but valuable techniques used by a good translator in the translation between English and Chinese. We’ll discuss what is translation, what is good translation, and learn about how to produce good translations. All the examples used in this course are taken from the course instructor's own translations of various genres and topics of writing.

Nov 2nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Writing in English at University (Coursera) Coursera
Lund University

Writing in English at University (Coursera)

Acquiring good academic research and writing skills early on is essential for your success both at university and in your professional life. This course aims: - to give you an understanding of the conventions of academic writing in English and to teach you the components and benefits of what is called process writing. - to help you to put together your own “toolbox” of academic writing skills, as well as to give you a chance to test out these tools and to reflect on your own development as a writer. - to encourage reflection on discipline specific conventions; although the course deals with generic skills, you will be able to apply these generic skills to meet the particular needs of your own discipline.

Nov 2nd 2026
4 Weeks
Teach English Now! Lesson Design and Assessment (Coursera) Coursera
Arizona State University

Teach English Now! Lesson Design and Assessment (Coursera)

Learners will be introduced to designing lesson plans based on principles and knowledge of learning objectives, assessment plans, methods, materials, and learning activities. Learners will find and prepare appropriate teaching materials through careful analysis, adaptation and creation of professional resources. Learners will also reflect on the cohesion between lesson design and teaching philosophies.

Oct 26th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Noun Clauses and Conditionals (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Irvine

Noun Clauses and Conditionals (Coursera)

This is the third course in the Learn English: Advanced Grammar and Punctuation specialty. In this class, you will learn about the advanced grammar concepts of noun clauses and conditionals. You will learn about several different types of each and get lots of practice using them appropriately. This may seem like difficult grammar, but this course will make them easy to understand. These grammar points are essential for any learner trying to master fluency in the English language.

Oct 26th 2026
4 Weeks
Tricky American English Pronunciation (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Irvine

Tricky American English Pronunciation (Coursera)

In this course, you’ll practice the sounds of American English that might sometimes be confusing. You'll practice both consonant and vowel sounds. You’ll also learn about the things that give English its special “music,” such as how to stress the right syllable in a word, how to make your voice go up and down in a natural-sounding melody, and how to naturally connect sounds and words.

Nov 9th 2026
4 Weeks
Pluralidades em Português Brasileiro (Coursera) Coursera
Universidade Estadual de Campinas - UNICAMP

Pluralidades em Português Brasileiro (Coursera)

Pluralidades em Português Brasileiro is a five-week long online self-access course whose aim is to expand intercultural awareness and develop upper intermediate/advanced reading and listening comprehension skills regarding Brazilian Portuguese as a foreign language. An extra week was added to expand the topics of the course.

Oct 26th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Children Acquiring Literacy Naturally (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Santa Cruz

Children Acquiring Literacy Naturally (Coursera)

In this short course you will explore the possibility that children might acquire written language in a way that is similar to how they acquire spoken language—without instruction. You will encounter various aspects of behavioral science and technology that are relevant to this proposition. You will have the opportunity to learn the the perceptual, cognitive, and neurological capacities of children during their first years of life. You will advance your understanding of children and how they learn language. You will also be more attuned to current advances in the technology of human machine interactions, and what these phenomena imply for learning to read at an early age.

Oct 26th 2026
3 Weeks
Conciencia Lingüística (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana

Conciencia Lingüística (Coursera)

Al finalizar el curso serás capaz de: Tomar conciencia acerca de cómo funciona el lenguaje humano, en lo que se refiere a la formación de palabras y estructuras que usamos a diario, su combinación y sus distintas posibilidades de significado. Con ello, se espera que el estudiante desarrolle una conciencia lingüística sobre el español y, con ello, logre un mayor control sobre el uso creativo de las palabras y las oraciones en español.

Nov 2nd 2026
4 Weeks