GRAMMAR DETAIL
～ます
Follows the connective form of a verb to politely express a present habit or future action.
Examples
毎朝六時に起きます。
I get up at six every morning.
Words used
午後に銀行へ行きます。
I will go to the bank in the afternoon.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Attach
ますto the stem appropriate to the verb class. - Basic usage:
毎朝六時に起きます。politely states a habit, while午後に銀行へ行きます。states a forthcoming action.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Forming the stem
- Changes depend on the verb class, as in
読む → 読みますand食べる → 食べます. The irregular forms areする → しますand来る → 来ます（きます）.
- Changes depend on the verb class, as in
- An action in progress
今、本を読んでいますdescribes reading in progress now. The polite form読みますdoes not always mean that reading is currently in progress.