Using Dictionary Form
“First you jump off the cliff and you build your wings on the way down.” - Ray Bradbury
So, you’ve learned how to change neutral/formal ます Verbs into casual Dictionary Form Verbs. So far, you’ve only learned present/future tense (we’ll learn the rest later – each one consists of separate rules, sadly) Dictionary Form Verbs, but there’s a lot we can do with them. Let’s use dictionary form with previous verb-related grammar you’ve learned in previous lessons. Think of it as a way to get better and review as well as a way to practice what you’ve just learned.
1. Doing Things
Dictionary Form “Doing Things” – The most basic ways to use your verbs. You do this or go to there… nothing fancy here, but a good way to get your feet wet.
2. What You’ll Go Do
What You’ll Go Do – This is the last of the verb grammar you’ve learned so far. You’ll apply _____にいく to Verb Dictionary Form.
Now that you’ve learned dictionary form for verbs, suddenly a ton of verb-related grammar has been opened up to you (that weren’t at all available before). We are going to learn a couple of new grammar points using present/future Verb Dictionary Form over the next couple chapters to help you practice this before moving on to past tense dictionary form. This Season really will be the Season of Verbs!