Understanding verbs that end in ‘s’ is crucial for constructing grammatically correct and clear sentences in English. This seemingly simple aspect of grammar plays a significant role in subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, and overall communication effectiveness.
This article provides a thorough exploration of verbs ending in ‘s’, covering their definition, structural rules, usage, common mistakes, and advanced applications. Whether you’re an ESL learner, a student honing your writing skills, or simply someone looking to refine your grammar knowledge, this guide will equip you with the tools to confidently use and understand these verbs.
This article breaks down the complexities of verbs ending in ‘s’ into manageable sections, offering numerous examples and practice exercises to reinforce your learning. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to identify, analyze, and correctly use these verbs in a variety of contexts.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of Verbs Ending in ‘S’
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories
- Examples of Verbs Ending in ‘S’
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition of Verbs Ending in ‘S’
A verb ending in ‘s’ typically indicates the third-person singular form of a verb in the simple present tense. This means the subject performing the action is a singular noun or pronoun such as he, she, it, or any singular noun (e.g., the dog, Mary). The ‘s’ is added to the base form of the verb to maintain subject-verb agreement. For instance, instead of saying “He eat,” we say “He eats.” This grammatical rule ensures that the verb form corresponds correctly to the subject in the sentence.
In essence, the ‘s’ ending acts as a marker signaling that the verb is conjugated for a singular subject in the present tense. Understanding this simple rule is fundamental to mastering basic English grammar and constructing grammatically sound sentences.
Without proper subject-verb agreement, sentences can sound awkward and confusing, hindering clear communication.
Structural Breakdown
The structure of verbs ending in ‘s’ is straightforward. The base form of the verb is modified by adding an ‘s’ or ‘es’ at the end.
The specific ending depends on the base verb’s final letter. Here’s a breakdown:
- Most verbs: Add ‘s’ to the base form (e.g., walk becomes walks).
- Verbs ending in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z: Add ‘es’ to the base form (e.g., kiss becomes kisses, watch becomes watches).
- Verbs ending in consonant + y: Change the ‘y’ to ‘i’ and add ‘es’ (e.g., study becomes studies).
- Verbs ending in vowel + y: Simply add ‘s’ (e.g., play becomes plays).
These rules are crucial for correctly conjugating verbs in the third-person singular present tense. Paying attention to the spelling of the base verb will ensure accurate application of these rules.
For example, the verb “try” follows the consonant + y rule and becomes “tries,” while the verb “enjoy” follows the vowel + y rule and becomes “enjoys.”
Types and Categories
Third-Person Singular Present Tense
This is the most common and important category for verbs ending in ‘s’. As previously mentioned, it refers to the form of the verb used when the subject is a singular noun or pronoun (he, she, it). This form is used to describe habitual actions, general truths, or current states.
For instance, “She eats breakfast every morning” describes a habitual action. “The sun rises in the east” expresses a general truth. “He feels tired” describes a current state. Correct usage of the third-person singular present tense is essential for clear and accurate communication.
Plural Nouns Mistaken as Verbs
It’s important to distinguish between verbs ending in ‘s’ and plural nouns. While both end with ‘s’, they serve different grammatical functions.
A verb ending in ‘s’ indicates an action, while a plural noun represents multiple objects or entities. Confusing the two can lead to grammatical errors.
For example, “The dogs bark loudly” uses the plural noun “dogs” and the base form of the verb “bark.” In contrast, “The dog barks loudly” uses the singular noun “dog” and the third-person singular form of the verb “barks.” Recognizing this distinction is crucial for avoiding common grammatical mistakes.
Examples of Verbs Ending in ‘S’
To solidify your understanding, let’s explore a variety of examples of verbs ending in ‘s’ in different contexts. These examples will illustrate the correct application of subject-verb agreement and the diverse ways these verbs are used in everyday language.
Regular Verbs
Regular verbs are those that form their past tense and past participle by adding ‘-ed’. In the present tense, they simply add ‘-s’ to the base form for the third-person singular.
The following table provides examples of regular verbs ending in ‘s’ used in sentences. Each example shows the base form of the verb and its third-person singular form.
| Base Verb | Third-Person Singular | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Walk | Walks | He walks to school every day. |
| Talk | Talks | She talks to her friends on the phone. |
| Cook | Cooks | My mother cooks delicious meals. |
| Clean | Cleans | He always cleans his room on Saturday. |
| Work | Works | She works hard to achieve her goals. |
| Play | Plays | The child plays in the park. |
| Help | Helps | He always helps his neighbors. |
| Jump | Jumps | The cat jumps over the fence. |
| Look | Looks | She looks beautiful in that dress. |
| Listen | Listens | He listens to music while studying. |
| Paint | Paints | The artist paints landscapes. |
| Dance | Dances | She dances gracefully on stage. |
| Sing | Sings | He sings in the choir every Sunday. |
| Read | Reads | She reads a book before bed. |
| Write | Writes | He writes poetry in his free time. |
| Dream | Dreams | She dreams of traveling the world. |
| Smile | Smiles | He smiles whenever he sees her. |
| Laugh | Laughs | She laughs at his jokes. |
| Wish | Wishes | He wishes he could fly. |
| Hope | Hopes | She hopes for a better future. |
| Learn | Learns | He learns something new every day. |
| Travel | Travels | She travels frequently for work. |
| Visit | Visits | He visits his grandparents every weekend. |
| Watch | Watches | She watches movies in the evening. |
| Wash | Washes | He washes his car every Sunday. |
Irregular Verbs
Irregular verbs do not follow the standard ‘-ed’ rule for forming their past tense and past participle. Some irregular verbs also have unique forms in the present tense, particularly the verb “to be” and “to have.”
The subsequent table illustrates examples of irregular verbs ending in ‘s’ or ‘es’. Note the unique conjugations of “to be,” “to have,” and “to do” in the third-person singular.
| Base Verb | Third-Person Singular | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Be | Is | He is a talented musician. |
| Have | Has | She has a beautiful garden. |
| Do | Does | He does his homework every evening. |
| Go | Goes | She goes to the gym regularly. |
| Say | Says | He says hello to everyone. |
| See | Sees | She sees the birds in the morning. |
| Come | Comes | He comes home late from work. |
| Give | Gives | She gives generously to charity. |
| Take | Takes | He takes the bus to work. |
| Know | Knows | She knows the answer to the question. |
| Get | Gets | He gets up early every morning. |
| Make | Makes | She makes delicious cookies. |
| Find | Finds | He finds joy in simple things. |
| Think | Thinks | She thinks carefully before she speaks. |
| Become | Becomes | He becomes a successful entrepreneur. |
| Leave | Leaves | She leaves for work at 8 AM. |
| Feel | Feels | He feels happy when he’s with his family. |
| Hold | Holds | She holds the baby gently. |
| Bring | Brings | He brings flowers to his wife. |
| Begin | Begins | She begins her day with a cup of coffee. |
| Keep | Keeps | He keeps his promises. |
| Stand | Stands | She stands tall and proud. |
| Hear | Hears | He hears the birds singing outside. |
| Let | Lets | She lets her children play outside. |
| Mean | Means | It means a lot to her. |
Action Verbs
Action verbs describe specific actions that a subject performs. These verbs can be either regular or irregular and are essential for conveying dynamic and engaging information in sentences.
This table showcases various action verbs ending in ‘s’ used in sentences. These examples highlight the active role of the subject in performing the action.
| Base Verb | Third-Person Singular | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Run | Runs | He runs a marathon every year. |
| Swim | Swims | She swims in the ocean. |
| Eat | Eats | He eats healthy food. |
| Drink | Drinks | She drinks water throughout the day. |
| Write | Writes | He writes novels in his spare time. |
| Draw | Draws | She draws beautiful portraits. |
| Sing | Sings | He sings in the church choir. |
| Dance | Dances | She dances ballet with grace. |
| Play | Plays | He plays the guitar in a band. |
| Cook | Cooks | She cooks gourmet meals. |
| Drive | Drives | He drives to work every day. |
| Teach | Teaches | She teaches English at the university. |
| Build | Builds | He builds houses for a living. |
| Fix | Fixes | She fixes computers as her job. |
| Climb | Climbs | He climbs mountains in his free time. |
| Search | Searches | She searches for information online. |
| Catch | Catches | He catches the ball with ease. |
| Throw | Throws | She throws the frisbee to her dog. |
| Kick | Kicks | He kicks the soccer ball into the goal. |
| Punch | Punches | She punches the punching bag at the gym. |
| Dig | Digs | He digs in the garden to plant flowers. |
| Carry | Carries | She carries her books to school. |
| Push | Pushes | He pushes the cart in the store. |
| Pull | Pulls | She pulls the rope to open the door. |
| Reach | Reaches | He reaches for the top shelf. |
Stative Verbs
Stative verbs describe states of being, thoughts, emotions, relationships, senses, or possessions rather than actions. These verbs often do not take the continuous form (e.g., is knowing, is feeling).
The following table provides examples of stative verbs ending in ‘s’ used in sentences. These verbs describe internal states or conditions rather than physical actions.
| Base Verb | Third-Person Singular | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Know | Knows | He knows the answer to the riddle. |
| Believe | Believes | She believes in the power of positive thinking. |
| Understand | Understands | He understands the complexities of the situation. |
| Think | Thinks | She thinks that it’s a good idea. |
| Feel | Feels | He feels happy and content. |
| Love | Loves | She loves spending time with her family. |
| Hate | Hates | He hates being late for appointments. |
| Want | Wants | She wants to travel the world. |
| Need | Needs | He needs to get more sleep. |
| Seem | Seems | It seems like a good plan. |
| Appear | Appears | She appears to be very confident. |
| Taste | Tastes | The soup tastes delicious. |
| Smell | Smells | The flowers smell sweet. |
| Hear | Hears | He hears the birds singing. |
| See | Sees | She sees the beauty in everything. |
| Have | Has | He has a collection of rare books. |
| Own | Owns | She owns a successful business. |
| Possess | Possesses | He possesses a great deal of knowledge. |
| Resemble | Resembles | She resembles her mother. |
| Consist | Consists | The team consists of five members. |
| Include | Includes | The package includes a gift. |
| Involve | Involves | The project involves a lot of research. |
| Satisfy | Satisfies | The meal satisfies his hunger. |
| Matter | Matters | It matters to her. |
| Depend | Depends | It depends on the weather. |
Usage Rules
Subject-Verb Agreement
The most fundamental rule is subject-verb agreement. This means that the verb must agree in number with its subject. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. Verbs ending in ‘s’ are generally used with singular subjects in the present tense.
For example:
- Incorrect: They eats pizza.
- Correct: They eat pizza.
- Incorrect: He eat pizza.
- Correct: He eats pizza.
Understanding and applying subject-verb agreement is crucial for writing grammatically correct sentences. Pay close attention to the subject of the sentence and choose the appropriate verb form accordingly.
Exceptions to the Rule
While the general rule is that verbs ending in ‘s’ are used with singular subjects, there are exceptions to consider. These exceptions usually involve specific grammatical structures or verb forms.
- Modal verbs: Modal verbs (e.g., can, could, should, would, may, might, must) do not change form based on the subject. They are always followed by the base form of the verb. For example, “He can sing,” not “He cans sing.”
- Subjunctive mood: In the subjunctive mood, the base form of the verb is used regardless of the subject. This is often used in hypothetical or conditional statements. For example, “I suggest that he be on time,” not “I suggest that he is on time.”
- Imperative sentences: Imperative sentences (commands or requests) use the base form of the verb. For example, “Please close the door,” not “Please closes the door.”
Being aware of these exceptions will help you avoid common grammatical errors and use verbs correctly in a variety of contexts. Remember to consider the grammatical structure and the intended meaning when choosing the appropriate verb form.
Common Mistakes
One of the most frequent errors is using the base form of the verb with a singular subject. This often happens due to oversight or a lack of understanding of subject-verb agreement.
Another common mistake is confusing plural nouns with verbs ending in ‘s’.
Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| He go to school. | He goes to school. | The verb “go” needs the ‘es’ ending to agree with the singular subject “He.” |
| She eat a lot. | She eats a lot. | The verb “eat” needs the ‘s’ ending to agree with the singular subject “She.” |
| The dog bark. | The dog barks. | The verb “bark” needs the ‘s’ ending to agree with the singular subject “The dog.” |
| My friends plays soccer. | My friends play soccer. | “Friends” is plural, so the verb should be in its base form “play”. |
| He can sings well. | He can sing well. | Modal verbs like “can” are always followed by the base form of the verb. |
| She must studies hard. | She must study hard. | Modal verbs like “must” are always followed by the base form of the verb. |
| I suggest he is present. | I suggest he be present. | In subjunctive mood, the base form “be” is used. |
| The cats sleeps all day. | The cats sleep all day. | “Cats” is plural, so the verb should be in its base form “sleep”. |
| He do not like it. | He does not like it. | The auxiliary verb “do” needs the ‘es’ ending to agree with the singular subject “He.” |
| She have a car. | She has a car. | The verb “have” changes to “has” for the third-person singular. |
By recognizing these common errors, you can actively avoid them in your own writing and speaking.
Practice Exercises
To further reinforce your understanding, complete the following practice exercises. These exercises will test your ability to identify and use verbs ending in ‘s’ correctly in various contexts.
Exercise 1: Identifying Correct Verb Forms
Choose the correct verb form in each sentence.
| Question | Option A | Option B | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| He _____ to the gym every day. | go | goes | |
| She _____ a beautiful song. | sing | sings | |
| The dog _____ loudly. | bark | barks | |
| It _____ cold in winter. | get | gets | |
| My brother _____ video games. | play | plays | |
| The sun _____ in the east. | rise | rises | |
| She _____ her homework after school. | do | does | |
| He _____ a lot about history. | know | knows | |
| The cat _____ on the couch. | sleep | sleeps | |
| She _____ to be a doctor. | want | wants |
Answer Key:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| He _____ to the gym every day. | goes |
| She _____ a beautiful song. | sings |
| The dog _____ loudly. | barks |
| It _____ cold in winter. | gets |
| My brother _____ video games. | plays |
| The sun _____ in the east. | rises |
| She _____ her homework after school. | does |
| He _____ a lot about history. | knows |
| The cat _____ on the couch. | sleeps |
| She _____ to be a doctor. | wants |
Exercise 2: Correcting Errors in Sentences
Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.
| Question | Corrected Sentence |
|---|---|
| She go to the store every week. | |
| He eat pizza for lunch. | |
| The bird fly in the sky. | |
| It rain a lot in the spring. | |
| My sister play the piano. | |
| The baby cry when he is hungry. | |
| He not like coffee. | |
| She have a pet cat. | |
| The car need gas. | |
| He can dances well. |
Answer Key:
| Question | Corrected Sentence |
|---|---|
| She go to the store every week. | She goes to the store every week. |
| He eat pizza for lunch. | He eats pizza for lunch. |
| The bird fly in the sky. | The bird flies in the sky. |
| It rain a lot in the spring. | It rains a lot in the spring. |
| My sister play the piano. | My sister plays the piano. |
| The baby cry when he is hungry. | The baby cries when he is hungry. |
| He not like coffee. | He does not like coffee. |
| She have a pet cat. | She has a pet cat. |
| The car need gas. | The car needs gas. |
| He can dances well. | He can dance well. |
Exercise 3: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb provided in parentheses.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| He _____ (study) English every day. | |
| She _____ (watch) TV in the evening. | |
| The dog _____ (chase) the ball. | |
| It _____ (snow) in the winter. | |
| My mother _____ (cook) delicious meals. | |
| He _____ (wash) his car on Sundays. | |
| She _____ (teach) at the local school. | |
| He _____ (fix) computers for a living. | |
| The cat _____ (catch) mice. | |
| She _____ (enjoy) reading books. |
Answer Key:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| He _____ (study) English every day. | studies |
| She _____ (watch) TV in the evening. | watches |
| The dog _____ (chase) the ball. | chases |
| It _____ (snow) in the winter. | snows |
| My mother _____ (cook) delicious meals. | cooks |
| He _____ (wash) his car on Sundays. | washes |
| She _____ (teach) at the local school. | teaches |
| He _____ (fix) computers for a living. | fixes |
| The cat _____ (catch) mice. | catches |
| She _____ (enjoy) reading books. | enjoys |
Advanced Topics
Beyond the basic rules, certain advanced topics can further refine your understanding of verbs ending in ‘s’. These topics involve more complex grammatical structures and nuances in usage.
Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, suggestions, commands, or hypothetical situations. In the present subjunctive, the base form of the verb is used, regardless of the subject.
This means that even with a third-person singular subject, the verb does not end in ‘s’.
For example:
- It is essential that he arrive on time. (Not “arrives”)
- I suggest that she be present at the meeting. (Not “is”)
- The doctor recommended that he take a break. (Not “takes”)
The subjunctive mood is less common in modern English but is still used in formal writing and certain fixed expressions. Recognizing its usage will help you understand and interpret complex sentences correctly.
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns refer to a group of individuals but are treated as a single unit (e.g., team, family, committee). Whether a collective noun takes a singular or plural verb depends on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individual members.
If the group is acting as a single unit, use a singular verb (ending in ‘s’ for third-person singular). If the group members are acting individually, use a plural verb.
For example:
- The team plays well together. (Singular – the team as a unit)
- The family disagrees on what to watch. (Plural – individual members disagreeing)
- The committee meets every Tuesday. (Singular – the committee as a unit)
The choice between singular and plural verbs with collective nouns depends on the intended meaning and context. Pay attention to whether the group is acting collectively or individually to determine the correct verb form.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about verbs ending in ‘s’.
Why do we add ‘s’ to verbs in the third-person singular present tense?
The ‘s’ is added to maintain subject-verb agreement. It signals that the verb is conjugated for a singular subject (he, she, it) in the present tense.
What if a sentence has a compound subject?
If the compound subject is joined by “and,” it is generally considered plural and takes a plural verb (no ‘s’). If the compound subject is joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
Are there any exceptions to the subject-verb agreement rule?
Yes, there are exceptions, such as with modal verbs, the subjunctive mood, and imperative sentences.
How can I improve my understanding of verbs ending in ‘s’?
Practice regularly, pay attention to subject-verb agreement, and review the rules and examples provided in this guide.
What is the difference between “its” and “it’s”?
“Its” is a possessive pronoun (e.g., “The dog wagged its tail”). “It’s” is a contraction of “it is” or “it has” (e.g., “It’s raining”).
Why does “has” have an ‘s’ even though it’s used with singular subjects?
“Has” is the third-person singular form of the irregular verb “to have.” It’s an exception to the typical ‘-s’ ending rule but still functions to indicate a singular subject.
How do I know when to use ‘s’ or ‘es’ at the end of a verb?
Add ‘es’ to verbs ending in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z. For most other verbs, simply add ‘s’.
Can you use a verb ending in ‘s’ in the past tense?
No, verbs ending in ‘s’ are specific to the third-person singular in the present tense. The past tense has its own verb forms.
Conclusion
Mastering verbs ending in ‘s’ is a fundamental aspect of English grammar. By understanding the rules of subject-verb agreement, recognizing common mistakes, and practicing regularly, you can significantly improve your writing and speaking skills.
This guide has provided a comprehensive overview of this topic, covering definitions, structural breakdowns, usage rules, examples, and advanced topics. Continue to apply these principles in your daily communication, and you’ll find yourself using verbs ending in ‘s’ with confidence and accuracy.