Making the て form

If you know how to make this form, you can do a lot!  Later we will look at other grammar points that are based on the te form.  By itself the te form makes a verb a request (or demand) 

1. のむ nomu (to drink) のんで nonde (drink)
2. たべる taberu (to eat) たべて tabete (eat)
3. する suru (to do) して shite (do)

These are the ways to make the te form for each of the 3 types of verbs.  If you are new to the "types of verbs" thing, don't worry. 

Now I know there are many grammarians out there that would argue against what I am about to say, but here's my advice.  Don't worry about learning all the confusing rules about how to make this verb do that (just yet).  Just say it as you feel it should be.  Of course you will make many mistakes, but if you keep your ears open and learn from your mistakes you will get a feel for how the verbs work. 

Take the te form for an example.  If you memorize the 3 examples at the top you should be able to guess what other verbs may change to.  Or even if you guess wrong, the correct form should be at least familiar to you.