1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression by combining like terms: $x + 2y + x + 2$. 2. **Identify like terms:** Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. Here, $x$ and $x$ are like terms, $2y$ is a separate term, and $2$ is a constant. 3. **Combine like terms:** $$x + x = 2x$$ 4. **Rewrite the expression:** $$2x + 2y + 2$$ 5. **Final simplified expression:** $$2x + 2y + 2$$ This is the simplest form since no further like terms can be combined.