Understanding how verbs change in the present tense, particularly when they end in ‘s’, is fundamental to constructing grammatically correct and clear sentences in English. This seemingly small detail significantly impacts subject-verb agreement and overall sentence structure.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to the function of verbs ending in ‘s’ in the present tense, covering definitions, structural rules, usage, common mistakes, and practice exercises. Whether you’re a beginner learning the basics or an advanced learner looking to refine your skills, this guide offers valuable insights and practical tools to master this essential aspect of English grammar.
By grasping the intricacies of ‘s’ endings on verbs, you’ll improve your writing accuracy, enhance your communication skills, and gain confidence in your ability to express yourself effectively in English. Let’s dive in and explore the nuances of this crucial grammatical element.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of Present Tense Verbs Ending in ‘S’
- Structural Breakdown: Subject-Verb Agreement
- Types and Categories of Verbs
- Examples of Verbs Ending in ‘S’
- Usage Rules for Verbs Ending in ‘S’
- Common Mistakes with Verbs Ending in ‘S’
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics: Subjunctive Mood and Conditional Sentences
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of Present Tense Verbs Ending in ‘S’
In English grammar, the present tense is used to describe actions or states that are happening now, occur regularly, or are generally true. The addition of ‘s’ to a verb in the present tense is specifically used to indicate that the subject of the verb is a third-person singular noun or pronoun (he, she, it). This ‘s’ ending is a crucial marker of subject-verb agreement, ensuring that the verb form corresponds correctly with its subject.
The function of this ‘s’ is to maintain grammatical consistency and clarity. Without it, sentences would often sound incorrect or confusing.
For example, saying “He eat” instead of “He eats” disrupts the flow and signals a grammatical error to a native English speaker.
Understanding this concept is essential for both speaking and writing accurately in English. It’s a fundamental building block for constructing more complex sentences and expressing your thoughts clearly and effectively.
Structural Breakdown: Subject-Verb Agreement
The core principle behind adding ‘s’ to present tense verbs is subject-verb agreement. This means the verb must match its subject in number (singular or plural). The rule is straightforward: singular subjects take verbs ending in ‘s’ (in the present simple tense), while plural subjects do not.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Singular Subject (He, She, It, The dog, Mary): Takes the verb with an ‘s’ ending (e.g., He eats, She sleeps, It barks).
- Plural Subject (They, We, You, The dogs, Mary and John): Takes the verb without an ‘s’ ending (e.g., They eat, We sleep, The dogs bark).
- I: Takes the verb without an ‘s’ ending (e.g., I eat, I sleep, I bark).
- You: Takes the verb without an ‘s’ ending (e.g., You eat, You sleep, You bark).
This agreement is crucial for constructing grammatically sound sentences. The ‘s’ ending acts as a signal that the subject is singular and in the third person.
Types and Categories of Verbs
While the ‘s’ ending applies to most verbs in the present tense with third-person singular subjects, it’s helpful to understand different categories of verbs. This knowledge can help you apply the rule more accurately.
Regular Verbs
Regular verbs are verbs that form their past tense and past participle by adding ‘-ed’ or ‘-d’ to the base form. In the present tense, they follow the standard ‘s’ rule for third-person singular subjects. Examples include walk, talk, play, and work.
Here are some examples demonstrating regular verb conjugation in the present tense:
- I walk
- You walk
- He/She/It walks
- We walk
- They walk
Irregular Verbs
Irregular verbs do not follow the standard ‘-ed’ rule for forming the past tense and past participle. Some irregular verbs also have unique present tense conjugations, particularly the verb “to be” (is, are, am) and “to have” (has). However, other irregular verbs still follow the ‘s’ rule in the present tense for the third-person singular. Examples include go, do, and have.
Here are examples of common irregular verbs and their present tense forms, with the third-person singular form highlighted:
- To go: I go, You go, He/She/It goes, We go, They go
- To do: I do, You do, He/She/It does, We do, They do
- To have: I have, You have, He/She/It has, We have, They have
Stative Verbs
Stative verbs describe states of being, thoughts, emotions, senses, or possessions rather than actions. They are generally not used in continuous (progressive) tenses. While they still follow the ‘s’ rule in the present tense for third-person singular subjects, it’s important to recognize them as different from action verbs. Examples include know, believe, love, and seem.
Examples of stative verbs in the present tense:
- I know
- You know
- He/She/It knows
- We know
- They know
Examples of Verbs Ending in ‘S’
To solidify your understanding, let’s look at various examples of verbs ending in ‘s’ in different sentence structures.
Affirmative Sentences
Affirmative sentences are statements that express a positive idea. Here, the ‘s’ ending is crucial for maintaining subject-verb agreement with third-person singular subjects.
The following table provides various examples of verbs ending in ‘s’ used in affirmative sentences. Each example features a third-person singular subject to demonstrate the proper application of the ‘s’ ending.
| Subject | Verb | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| He | eats | He eats breakfast every morning. |
| She | sleeps | She sleeps for eight hours a night. |
| It | rains | It rains frequently in this region. |
| The dog | barks | The dog barks at strangers. |
| My sister | reads | My sister reads a lot of books. |
| John | works | John works at a bank. |
| The cat | plays | The cat plays with a ball of yarn. |
| The sun | shines | The sun shines brightly today. |
| He | writes | He writes poetry in his free time. |
| She | sings | She sings in the choir every Sunday. |
| It | smells | It smells delicious in the kitchen. |
| The bird | flies | The bird flies high in the sky. |
| My brother | drives | My brother drives to work every day. |
| The computer | functions | The computer functions properly. |
| She | cooks | She cooks dinner for her family. |
| He | listens | He listens to music while studying. |
| It | grows | It grows quickly in the summer. |
| The plant | needs | The plant needs water. |
| My mother | loves | My mother loves to garden. |
| He | studies | He studies hard for his exams. |
| She | teaches | She teaches English at the local school. |
| It | helps | It helps to have a good study plan. |
| The car | runs | The car runs smoothly after the repair. |
| He | believes | He believes in hard work and dedication. |
| She | hopes | She hopes to travel the world someday. |
Negative Sentences
Negative sentences express a negative idea, typically using “does not” or “doesn’t” with the base form of the verb. Note that the ‘s’ is incorporated into “does,” so the main verb remains in its base form.
The following table presents examples of negative sentences using “does not” or “doesn’t” with the base form of the verb. The ‘s’ is incorporated into “does,” so the main verb remains in its base form.
| Subject | Negative Form | Base Verb | Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| He | doesn’t | eat | He doesn’t eat meat. |
| She | does not | sleep | She does not sleep well when she’s stressed. |
| It | doesn’t | rain | It doesn’t rain much in the desert. |
| The dog | does not | bark | The dog does not bark at the mailman. |
| My sister | doesn’t | read | My sister doesn’t read newspapers. |
| John | does not | work | John does not work on weekends. |
| The cat | doesn’t | play | The cat doesn’t play with other cats. |
| The sun | does not | shine | The sun does not shine at night. |
| He | doesn’t | write | He doesn’t write emails very often. |
| She | does not | sing | She does not sing in public. |
| It | doesn’t | smell | It doesn’t smell good in here. |
| The bird | does not | fly | The bird does not fly south in the winter. |
| My brother | doesn’t | drive | My brother doesn’t drive to work anymore. |
| The computer | does not | function | The computer does not function without power. |
| She | doesn’t | cook | She doesn’t cook very often. |
| He | does not | listen | He does not listen to advice. |
| It | doesn’t | grow | It doesn’t grow well in the shade. |
| The plant | does not | need | The plant does not need much sunlight. |
| My mother | doesn’t | love | My mother doesn’t love spicy food. |
| He | does not | study | He does not study on the weekends. |
| She | doesn’t | teach | She doesn’t teach math. |
| It | does not | help | It doesn’t help to worry. |
| The car | doesn’t | run | The car doesn’t run very well. |
| He | does not | believe | He does not believe in ghosts. |
Interrogative Sentences
Interrogative sentences ask a question. When forming questions with third-person singular subjects in the present simple, “does” is used, and the main verb remains in its base form.
The following table illustrates how to form questions with third-person singular subjects in the present simple tense. Note the use of “does” and the base form of the verb.
| Question Form | Subject | Base Verb | Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Does | he | eat | Does he eat breakfast? |
| Does | she | sleep | Does she sleep well? |
| Does | it | rain | Does it rain often here? |
| Does | the dog | bark | Does the dog bark at strangers? |
| Does | my sister | read | Does my sister read a lot? |
| Does | John | work | Does John work late? |
| Does | the cat | play | Does the cat play outside? |
| Does | the sun | shine | Does the sun shine every day? |
| Does | he | write | Does he write stories? |
| Does | she | sing | Does she sing in the shower? |
| Does | it | smell | Does it smell like flowers? |
| Does | the bird | fly | Does the bird fly far? |
| Does | my brother | drive | Does my brother drive fast? |
| Does | the computer | function | Does the computer function properly? |
| Does | she | cook | Does she cook well? |
| Does | he | listen | Does he listen to the radio? |
| Does | it | grow | Does it grow easily? |
| Does | the plant | need | Does the plant need water? |
| Does | my mother | love | Does my mother love to cook? |
| Does | he | study | Does he study every night? |
| Does | she | teach | Does she teach English? |
| Does | it | help | Does it help to be organized? |
| Does | the car | run | Does the car run smoothly? |
| Does | he | believe | Does he believe in magic? |
Usage Rules for Verbs Ending in ‘S’
To use verbs ending in ‘s’ correctly, it is essential to understand the specific rules that govern their usage. These rules primarily concern subject-verb agreement and certain exceptions that may apply.
Third-Person Singular Rule
The fundamental rule is that verbs in the present simple tense take an ‘s’ ending when the subject is a third-person singular noun or pronoun (he, she, it). This rule ensures that the verb agrees in number with the subject, maintaining grammatical accuracy.
For example, “She walks” is correct, while “She walk” is incorrect.
Consider these examples:
- He works hard.
- She reads every day.
- It rains a lot in April.
- The dog barks at strangers.
Exceptions to the Rule
While the third-person singular rule is generally consistent, there are certain exceptions to keep in mind. These exceptions typically involve auxiliary verbs or specific grammatical constructions.
- Auxiliary Verbs: When using auxiliary verbs like do, can, should, might, or must, the main verb does not take an ‘s’ ending, regardless of the subject. For example: “He can swim,” not “He can swims.”
- Modal Verbs: Modal verbs (can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would) are always followed by the base form of the verb. The verb never takes an ‘s’ after a modal verb, even with a third-person singular subject. For example, “She should study,” not “She should studies.”
- Subjunctive Mood: In the subjunctive mood, the verb does not take an ‘s’ ending, even with a third-person singular subject. This is often used in clauses expressing wishes, suggestions, or demands. For example, “I suggest that he be on time,” not “I suggest that he is on time.”
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, committee) can be tricky. They can be treated as singular or plural depending on whether they are acting as a single unit or as individual members.
If the collective noun is acting as a single unit, it takes a singular verb with an ‘s’ ending. If it’s acting as individual members, it takes a plural verb without the ‘s’ ending.
Examples:
- The team plays well together. (Team acting as a single unit)
- The family are arguing about what to watch. (Family members acting individually)
Common Mistakes with Verbs Ending in ‘S’
Even experienced English speakers can make mistakes with verbs ending in ‘s’. Here are some common errors and how to correct them:
Here’s a table illustrating common mistakes with verbs ending in ‘s’ and their correct versions:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| He eat lunch. | He eats lunch. | Missing ‘s’ on the verb with a third-person singular subject. |
| She have a car. | She has a car. | Incorrect form of “have” for third-person singular (should be “has”). |
| They goes to the park. | They go to the park. | Incorrect ‘s’ ending on the verb with a plural subject. |
| He can speaks English. | He can speak English. | Incorrect ‘s’ ending after the modal verb “can.” |
| The team play well. | The team plays well. | The collective noun “team” is acting as a single unit. |
| Does he likes ice cream? | Does he like ice cream? | Incorrect ‘s’ ending on the main verb in a question. |
| She don’t like coffee. | She doesn’t like coffee. | Incorrect negative form for third-person singular (should be “doesn’t”). |
| It is rains a lot here. | It rains a lot here. | Unnecessary use of “is” before the verb. |
| My brother always arrive late. | My brother always arrives late. | Missing ‘s’ on the verb with a third-person singular subject. |
| She must to study for the exam. | She must study for the exam. | Incorrect use of “to” after the modal verb “must.” |
Practice Exercises
To reinforce your understanding of verbs ending in ‘s’, complete the following exercises.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in parentheses. Remember to use the ‘s’ ending where appropriate.
Instructions: Choose the correct form of the verb in parentheses to complete each sentence. Pay attention to subject-verb agreement.
| # | Sentence | Verb (in parentheses) | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | He ________ to school every day. | (walk) | walks |
| 2 | She ________ a lot of books. | (read) | reads |
| 3 | It ________ cold in the winter. | (get) | gets |
| 4 | They ________ to the movies on weekends. | (go) | go |
| 5 | I ________ coffee every morning. | (drink) | drink |
| 6 | The dog ________ loudly at night. | (bark) | barks |
| 7 | My sister ________ the piano very well. | (play) | plays |
| 8 | The sun ________ brightly in the sky. | (shine) | shines |
| 9 | He ________ his homework after school. | (do) | does |
| 10 | She ________ happy when she sees her friends. | (feel) | feels |
Exercise 2: Correct the Errors
Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences. Some sentences may be correct.
Instructions: Identify and correct any errors in subject-verb agreement in the following sentences. If a sentence is correct, indicate “Correct.”
| # | Sentence | Corrected Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | He eat pizza every Friday. | He eats pizza every Friday. |
| 2 | She have a new car. | She has a new car. |
| 3 | They goes to the beach in the summer. | They go to the beach in the summer. |
| 4 | I likes to play video games. | I like to play video games. |
| 5 | The cat sleeps all day. | Correct |
| 6 | My brother don’t like vegetables. | My brother doesn’t like vegetables. |
| 7 | Does she plays tennis? | Does she play tennis? |
| 8 | It rain a lot in this city. | It rains a lot in this city. |
| 9 | He can speaks French fluently. | He can speak French fluently. |
| 10 | She must studies hard for her exams. | She must study hard for her exams. |
Exercise 3: Sentence Construction
Construct five sentences using the present simple tense with third-person singular subjects. Ensure correct subject-verb agreement.
Instructions: Write five sentences using the present simple tense with third-person singular subjects. Ensure correct subject-verb agreement in each sentence.
- He watches television in the evening.
- She drinks tea with her meals.
- It rains frequently during the monsoon season.
- The dog barks at the mailman every day.
- My sister plays the guitar beautifully.
Advanced Topics: Subjunctive Mood and Conditional Sentences
For advanced learners, it’s important to understand how the ‘s’ ending interacts with more complex grammatical structures like the subjunctive mood and conditional sentences.
Subjunctive Mood: As mentioned earlier, the subjunctive mood often drops the ‘s’ ending, even with third-person singular subjects. This is common in formal writing and speech, particularly in clauses expressing a wish, suggestion, or requirement. For example: “It is essential that he be present at the meeting.”
Conditional Sentences: In conditional sentences, the ‘s’ ending follows the same rules as in simple present tense. However, it’s important to distinguish between different types of conditional sentences. In Type 0 conditionals (general truths), the ‘s’ ending is used as normal: “If it rains, the ground gets wet.” In Type 1 conditionals (possible future events), the ‘s’ ending is used in the ‘if’ clause: “If she studies hard, she will pass the exam.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about verbs ending in ‘s’ in the present tense:
- Why do we add ‘s’ to verbs in the present tense?
We add ‘s’ to verbs in the present tense to indicate that the subject of the verb is a third-person singular noun or pronoun (he, she, it). This ensures subject-verb agreement, which is a fundamental aspect of English grammar.
- What happens if I forget to add ‘s’ to a verb?
Forgetting to add ‘s’ to a verb with a third-person singular subject results in a grammatical error. The sentence will sound incorrect and may be confusing to native English speakers. Correctness and clarity are always key!
- Does the ‘s’ rule apply to all verbs?
The ‘s’ rule primarily applies to verbs in the present simple tense. Auxiliary verbs (do, can, should) and modal verbs (can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would) do not take an ‘s’ ending.
- How do I know if a noun is singular or plural?
Most plural nouns are formed by adding ‘s’ or ‘es’ to the singular form. However, some nouns have irregular plural forms (e.g., child/children, man/men). Understanding noun forms is crucial for correct subject-verb agreement.
- What is the difference between “does” and “do”?
“Does” is the third-person singular form of the auxiliary verb “do,” used in questions and negative sentences. “Do” is used with other subjects (I, you, we, they). For example: “Does he like coffee?” vs. “Do you like coffee?”
- Are there any verbs that never take an ‘s’ ending?
Modal verbs (can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would) never take an ‘s’ ending. Also, in the subjunctive mood, the ‘s’ ending is often dropped, even with third-person singular subjects.
- How can I improve my subject-verb agreement skills?
Practice regularly, pay attention to the subjects of your sentences, and review grammar rules. Reading and listening to English content can also help you internalize correct usage.
- What about compound subjects?
Compound subjects joined by “and” are generally plural and take a verb without an ‘s’ ending. For example: “John and Mary eat lunch together.” However, if the compound subject refers to a single entity, it takes a singular verb with an ‘s’ ending. For example: “Macaroni and cheese is my favorite dish.”
Conclusion
Mastering the use of verbs ending in ‘s’ in the present tense is essential for accurate and effective communication in English. By understanding the rules of subject-verb agreement and recognizing common exceptions, you can significantly improve your writing and speaking skills.
Remember to practice regularly, pay attention to sentence structure, and review grammar rules as needed.
The key takeaways from this article include the importance of the third-person singular rule, the exceptions involving auxiliary and modal verbs, and the nuances of collective nouns. By consistently applying these principles, you’ll build confidence in your ability to use verbs correctly and express yourself with clarity and precision.
Keep practicing, and you’ll soon find that subject-verb agreement becomes second nature!