Mastering ‘S’ Ending Verbs: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding how verbs change with the addition of an ‘s’ is crucial for constructing grammatically correct sentences in English. This seemingly small detail plays a significant role in subject-verb agreement, one of the foundational principles of English grammar.

Mastering the use of ‘s’ ending verbs is essential for clear and effective communication, both in writing and speaking. This article provides a comprehensive guide to ‘s’ ending verbs, covering their definition, structure, usage rules, common mistakes, and advanced topics.

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will help you solidify your understanding and use ‘s’ ending verbs with confidence.

This guide is particularly beneficial for English language learners, students preparing for exams, and anyone who wants to improve their grammatical accuracy. By the end of this article, you will have a solid grasp of when and how to use ‘s’ ending verbs correctly.

Let’s dive in and explore the intricacies of this important grammatical element.

Table of Contents

Definition of ‘S’ Ending Verbs

‘S’ ending verbs are verb forms in the present simple tense that are used with third-person singular subjects. In English grammar, the present simple tense is used to describe habits, routines, general truths, and facts. When the subject of a sentence is a singular noun or pronoun in the third person (he, she, it), the verb typically takes an ‘s’ ending.

The addition of ‘s’ to a verb indicates that the action is being performed by a single entity that is not the speaker or the person being addressed. This grammatical feature is crucial for maintaining subject-verb agreement, which ensures that the verb form matches the number and person of the subject.

For example, consider the verb “to walk.” In the present simple tense, it takes different forms depending on the subject: I walk, you walk, he/she/it walks, we walk, they walk. Notice that only with he, she, and it does the verb include an ‘s’ ending. Understanding this basic principle is key to mastering the use of ‘s’ ending verbs.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of ‘s’ ending verbs is relatively straightforward. The base form of the verb is modified by adding either an ‘s’ or ‘es’ to the end.

The specific ending depends on the final letter or sound of the base verb. Here’s a breakdown:

  • Most verbs: Add ‘s’ to the base form. (e.g., walk becomes walks, eat becomes eats)
  • Verbs ending in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z: Add ‘es’ to the base form. (e.g., kiss becomes kisses, wash becomes washes, watch becomes watches, fix becomes fixes, buzz becomes buzzes)
  • Verbs ending in a consonant + ‘y’: Change the ‘y’ to ‘i’ and add ‘es’. (e.g., study becomes studies, cry becomes cries, fly becomes flies)

It’s important to note that these rules apply only to the present simple tense and only when the subject is third-person singular. In all other cases, the base form of the verb is used.

For instance, even if we use present simple, the subject “they” would use the base form of the verb. They *eat*, they *walk*, they *study*.

Understanding these structural rules is essential for forming ‘s’ ending verbs correctly. By paying attention to the ending of the base verb, you can ensure that you are using the appropriate form in your sentences.

The following sections provide more detailed examples and explanations to further clarify these concepts.

Types and Categories

‘S’ ending verbs are primarily associated with regular and irregular verbs in the present simple tense. While the concept is the same, the application can vary slightly depending on the verb type.

Let’s explore these categories in more detail.

Regular Verbs

Regular verbs are those that form their past tense and past participle by adding ‘-ed’ to the base form. In the present simple tense, regular verbs follow the standard rules for adding ‘s’ or ‘es’ to the third-person singular form.

For example:

  • Walk becomes walks (He walks to school every day.)
  • Play becomes plays (She plays the piano beautifully.)
  • Work becomes works (It works perfectly.)

The simplicity of regular verbs makes them easier to learn and use. However, it’s still important to pay attention to the ending of the verb to ensure that you are adding the correct suffix.

Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs, on the other hand, do not follow the standard ‘-ed’ rule for forming their past tense and past participle. While their present simple tense forms still adhere to the ‘s’ ending rule for third-person singular subjects, their irregular nature can sometimes cause confusion. The most common irregular verb is “to be,” which has the forms am, is, and are in the present simple tense. The third-person singular form of “to be” is is.

Other examples of irregular verbs with ‘s’ endings include:

  • Have becomes has (He has a new car.)
  • Do becomes does (She does her homework every evening.)
  • Go becomes goes (It goes without saying.)

Memorizing the forms of common irregular verbs is crucial for accurate grammar. While the ‘s’ ending rule still applies, the base forms of these verbs are often different from what one might expect.

Examples of ‘S’ Ending Verbs

To further illustrate the use of ‘s’ ending verbs, let’s look at some specific examples. These examples are categorized by verb type to provide a clearer understanding of how the rules apply in different contexts.

Regular Verb Examples

The following table provides examples of regular verbs used with third-person singular subjects in the present simple tense. Notice how the ‘s’ or ‘es’ ending is added to the base form of the verb.

The table below illustrates the usage of regular verbs with ‘s’ endings in various sentences. Each example showcases how the verb form changes when used with a third-person singular subject, such as ‘he,’ ‘she,’ or ‘it.’ These examples aim to provide a clear understanding of subject-verb agreement in the present simple tense.

Subject Verb (Base Form) Verb (with ‘S’ ending) Example Sentence
He Walk Walks He walks to the store every day.
She Play Plays She plays the guitar in a band.
It Rain Rains It rains a lot in the spring.
He Eat Eats He eats breakfast at 7 AM.
She Sleep Sleeps She sleeps for eight hours every night.
It Work Works It works perfectly after the update.
He Cook Cooks He cooks dinner for his family.
She Read Reads She reads a book before bed.
It Grow Grows It grows quickly in the right conditions.
He Write Writes He writes emails to his clients.
She Sing Sings She sings in the choir every Sunday.
It Shine Shines The sun shines brightly today.
He Teach Teaches He teaches English at the local school.
She Wash Washes She washes her car every weekend.
It Buzz Buzzes The bee buzzes around the flower.
He Fix Fixes He fixes computers for a living.
She Watch Watches She watches her favorite TV show.
It Mix Mixes It mixes well with other ingredients.
He Carry Carries He carries the groceries home.
She Study Studies She studies hard for her exams.
He Try Tries He tries his best in everything he does.
She Cry Cries She cries when she watches sad movies.
It Fly Flies It flies high in the sky.
He Apply Applies He applies for jobs online.
She Worry Worries She worries about the future.

Irregular Verb Examples

The table below provides examples of irregular verbs used with third-person singular subjects in the present simple tense. Pay close attention to the specific forms of these verbs, as they do not follow the standard ‘s’ ending rule in their base forms.

This table focuses on irregular verbs and their ‘s’ endings when used with third-person singular subjects. Irregular verbs often have unique forms that don’t follow the typical rules, making them essential to study separately.

These examples will help you recognize and correctly use these verbs in sentences.

Subject Verb (Base Form) Verb (with ‘S’ ending) Example Sentence
He Have Has He has a lot of experience.
She Do Does She does her best every time.
It Go Goes It goes without saying that he is talented.
He Say Says He says he will be there on time.
She Be Is She is a very kind person.
It Be Is It is important to study regularly.
He Come Comes He comes to the office early.
She See Sees She sees the doctor every year.
It Give Gives It gives me great pleasure to introduce him.
He Take Takes He takes the bus to work.
She Know Knows She knows a lot about history.
It Find Finds It finds a way to solve the problem.
He Get Gets He gets up early every morning.
She Make Makes She makes the best coffee.
It Tell Tells It tells a fascinating story.
He Think Thinks He thinks about it often.
She Become Becomes She becomes a great leader.
It Leave Leaves It leaves a lasting impression.
He Feel Feels He feels happy today.
She Bring Brings She brings joy to everyone.
It Begin Begins It begins to rain.
He Keep Keeps He keeps his promises.
She Hold Holds She holds the baby gently.
It Write Writes It writes a beautiful story.
He Stand Stands He stands tall.

The following table presents a diverse set of sentences utilizing both regular and irregular verbs with ‘s’ endings. These examples are designed to help you see how the ‘s’ ending rule applies in a variety of contexts and with different verbs.

By studying these examples, you can reinforce your understanding and improve your ability to use ‘s’ ending verbs correctly.

Sentence Verb (with ‘S’ ending) Verb Type
He watches TV every night. Watches Regular
She has a new car. Has Irregular
It rains a lot in the spring. Rains Regular
He does his homework after school. Does Irregular
She studies English every day. Studies Regular
It goes to the park on Sundays. Goes Irregular
He plays the piano beautifully. Plays Regular
She says hello to everyone. Says Irregular
It works perfectly fine. Works Regular
He is happy with his job. Is Irregular
She comes to visit us often. Comes Irregular
It sees the beauty in everything. Sees Irregular
He eats breakfast at 7 AM. Eats Regular
She sleeps for eight hours. Sleeps Regular
It gives me great pleasure. Gives Irregular
He takes the bus to work. Takes Irregular
She knows all the answers. Knows Irregular
It finds a way to succeed. Finds Irregular
He gets up early. Gets Irregular
She makes great coffee. Makes Irregular
It tells an amazing story. Tells Irregular
He thinks it’s a good idea. Thinks Irregular
She becomes a successful leader. Becomes Irregular
It leaves a mark. Leaves Irregular
He feels great today. Feels Irregular

Usage Rules

The usage of ‘s’ ending verbs is governed by specific rules related to subject-verb agreement. Understanding these rules is essential for constructing grammatically correct sentences.

Singular Subjects

The primary rule is that verbs take an ‘s’ ending when the subject is singular and in the third person. This means that the subject refers to one person, place, or thing that is not the speaker or the person being addressed.

For example:

  • The cat sleeps on the couch. (The subject “cat” is singular.)
  • My brother plays basketball. (The subject “brother” is singular.)
  • The book costs ten dollars. (The subject “book” is singular.)

In each of these examples, the verb takes an ‘s’ ending because the subject is a singular noun. Singular subjects always require the ‘s’ form of the verb in the present simple tense.

Third-Person Singular Pronouns

The rule also applies to third-person singular pronouns: he, she, and it. When these pronouns are used as the subject of a sentence, the verb must take an ‘s’ ending. For example:

  • He works at a bank.
  • She sings in a choir.
  • It rains frequently here.

These pronouns are the most common subjects that require ‘s’ ending verbs. Remembering this association is crucial for avoiding errors in subject-verb agreement.

Exceptions to the Rule

While the rule for ‘s’ ending verbs is generally consistent, there are a few exceptions to keep in mind. These exceptions primarily involve auxiliary verbs and modal verbs.

  • Auxiliary Verbs: Auxiliary verbs like do, have, and be have special forms in the third-person singular. As mentioned earlier, do becomes does, have becomes has, and be becomes is.
  • Modal Verbs: Modal verbs such as can, could, will, would, shall, should, may, and might do not take an ‘s’ ending, regardless of the subject. For example: He can swim, she will go, it might rain.

These exceptions are important to remember, as they deviate from the standard ‘s’ ending rule. Pay close attention to the verb type to ensure that you are using the correct form.

Common Mistakes

One of the most common mistakes in English grammar is incorrect subject-verb agreement with ‘s’ ending verbs. This often occurs when learners forget to add the ‘s’ ending to verbs used with third-person singular subjects.

Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:

Incorrect Correct Explanation
He walk to school. He walks to school. The verb “walk” should be “walks” to agree with the singular subject “he.”
She play the piano. She plays the piano. The verb “play” should be “plays” to agree with the singular subject “she.”
It rain every day. It rains every day. The verb “rain” should be “rains” to agree with the singular subject “it.”
My brother eat breakfast. My brother eats breakfast. The verb “eat” should be “eats” to agree with the singular subject “my brother.”
The cat sleep on the bed. The cat sleeps on the bed. The verb “sleep” should be “sleeps” to agree with the singular subject “the cat.”
He have a car. He has a car. The verb “have” should be “has” to agree with the singular subject “he.”
She do her homework. She does her homework. The verb “do” should be “does” to agree with the singular subject “she.”
It go without saying. It goes without saying. The verb “go” should be “goes” to agree with the singular subject “it.”
John like ice cream. John likes ice cream. The verb “like” should be “likes” to agree with the singular subject “John.”
Mary watch TV. Mary watches TV. The verb “watch” should be “watches” to agree with the singular subject “Mary.”

Another common mistake is adding an ‘s’ ending to verbs used with plural subjects or with pronouns like I, you, we, and they. For example:

Incorrect Correct Explanation
I walks to school. I walk to school. The verb “walk” should not have an ‘s’ ending when used with the subject “I.”
You plays the piano. You play the piano. The verb “play” should not have an ‘s’ ending when used with the subject “you.”
We eats breakfast. We eat breakfast. The verb “eat” should not have an ‘s’ ending when used with the subject “we.”
They sleeps at night. They sleep at night. The verb “sleep” should not have an ‘s’ ending when used with the subject “they.”
The students studies hard. The students study hard. The verb “study” should not have an ‘s’ ending when used with the plural subject “the students.”

By being aware of these common mistakes and practicing correct usage, you can improve your grammatical accuracy and avoid errors in subject-verb agreement.

Practice Exercises

To reinforce your understanding of ‘s’ ending verbs, try these practice exercises. Each exercise focuses on a different aspect of the topic, from identifying correct verb forms to correcting incorrect sentences.

Exercise 1: Identifying Correct Verb Forms

Choose the correct verb form in each sentence.

  1. He (walk / walks) to work every day.
  2. She (play / plays) the guitar in a band.
  3. It (rain / rains) a lot in the spring.
  4. They (eat / eats) dinner together.
  5. I (sleep / sleeps) for eight hours.
  6. You (work / works) very hard.
  7. We (cook / cooks) dinner on Sundays.
  8. He (read / reads) a book before bed.
  9. She (grow / grows) flowers in her garden.
  10. It (write / writes) beautifully.

Answer Key:

  1. walks
  2. plays
  3. rains
  4. eat
  5. sleep
  6. work
  7. cook
  8. reads
  9. grows
  10. writes

Exercise 2: Correcting Incorrect Sentences

Correct the following sentences that have errors in subject-verb agreement.

  1. He walk to the store.
  2. She have a new bike.
  3. It go without saying.
  4. They studies English.
  5. I plays the piano.
  6. You eats too much.
  7. We watches TV.
  8. He do his homework.
  9. She be a doctor.
  10. It rain a lot.

Answer Key:

  1. He walks to the store.
  2. She has a new bike.
  3. It goes without saying.
  4. They study English.
  5. I play the piano.
  6. You eat too much.
  7. We watch TV.
  8. He does his homework.
  9. She is a doctor.
  10. It rains a lot.

Exercise 3: Fill-in-the-Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in parentheses.

  1. He ________ (watch) TV every night.
  2. She ________ (have) a new car.
  3. It ________ (rain) a lot here.
  4. They ________ (study) English every day.
  5. I ________ (play) the guitar.
  6. You ________ (work) very hard.
  7. We ________ (cook) dinner together.
  8. He ________ (read) a book.
  9. She ________ (grow) flowers.
  10. It ________ (go) without saying.

Answer Key:

  1. watches
  2. has
  3. rains
  4. study
  5. play
  6. work
  7. cook
  8. reads
  9. grows
  10. goes

The following exercise challenges you to apply your knowledge of ‘s’ ending verbs in context. Read each sentence carefully and choose the correct verb form to ensure subject-verb agreement.

This exercise is designed to reinforce your understanding and improve your accuracy in using ‘s’ ending verbs.

Question Option A Option B Correct Answer
He ________ (go) to the gym every morning. go goes goes
She ________ (eat) a healthy breakfast. eat eats eats
It ________ (rain) often in this area. rain rains rains
The dog ________ (bark) at strangers. bark barks barks
My sister ________ (study) medicine at university. study studies studies
The sun ________ (shine) brightly today. shine shines shines
He ________ (watch) movies on weekends. watch watches watches
She ________ (have) a lot of friends. have has has
It ________ (seem) like a good idea. seem seems seems
The bird ________ (fly) high in the sky. fly flies flies

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, there are some more complex aspects of ‘s’ ending verbs to consider. These include the use of collective nouns and indefinite pronouns.

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns refer to a group of individuals but are treated as a single unit. Examples include team, family, committee, and group. 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 with an ‘s’ ending: The team wins every game.
  • If the group members are acting individually, use a plural verb without an ‘s’ ending: The family are deciding on their vacation plans. (Here, each family member is making an individual decision.)

The choice depends on the context and the intended meaning. It’s important to consider whether the emphasis is on the group as a whole or on the individual members.

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns refer to nonspecific people or things. Some indefinite pronouns are always singular, while others can be singular or plural depending on the context. Singular indefinite pronouns include everyone, someone, anyone, no one, everybody, somebody, anybody, nobody, each, either, neither, one, and another. These pronouns always take a singular verb with an ‘s’ ending.

  • Everyone likes ice cream.
  • Someone is knocking at the door.
  • Each student studies diligently.

Understanding the number of indefinite pronouns is crucial for correct subject-verb agreement. When in doubt, consult a grammar reference or ask a native speaker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about ‘s’ ending verbs:

  1. Why do verbs have an ‘s’ ending in the present simple tense?

    Verbs have an ‘s’ ending in the present simple tense to indicate that the subject is third-person singular (he, she, it). This is a rule of subject-verb agreement, which ensures that the verb form matches the number and person of the subject.

  2. What happens if I forget to add the ‘s’ ending to a verb?

    If you forget to add the ‘s’ ending to a verb when it is required, the sentence will be grammatically incorrect. This can make your writing or speech sound awkward or confusing to native English speakers.

  3. Do all verbs take an ‘s’ ending in the present simple tense?

    No, only verbs used with third-person singular subjects (he, she, it) take an ‘s’ ending in the present simple tense. Verbs used with other subjects (I, you, we,

    they) do not take an ‘s’ ending.

  4. How do I know when to add ‘es’ instead of ‘s’ to a verb?

    Add ‘es’ to verbs that end in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z. This rule helps to maintain the correct pronunciation of the verb and ensures that it is grammatically correct.

  5. Are there any irregular verbs that don’t follow the ‘s’ ending rule?

    While most irregular verbs follow the ‘s’ ending rule for third-person singular subjects, the verb “to be” is an exception. The third-person singular form of “to be” is “is,” which does not follow the standard ‘s’ ending pattern.

  6. What should I do if I’m unsure whether to use an ‘s’ ending verb?

    If you’re unsure whether to use an ‘s’ ending verb, check the subject of the sentence. If the subject is third-person singular (he, she, it), the verb should typically take an ‘s’ ending. If the subject is plural or uses pronouns like I, you, we, or they, the verb should not have an ‘s’ ending.

  7. Does the ‘s’ ending rule apply to all tenses?

    No, the ‘s’ ending rule primarily applies to the present simple tense. In other tenses, such as the past simple or future simple, the verb forms do not change based on the subject.

  8. How can I improve my understanding of ‘s’ ending verbs?

    To improve your understanding of ‘s’ ending verbs, practice using them in sentences, read English texts and pay attention to subject-verb agreement, and ask for feedback from native English speakers or teachers.

Conclusion

Mastering the use of ‘s’ ending verbs is a fundamental aspect of English grammar. By understanding the rules, exceptions, and common mistakes associated with these verb forms, you can significantly improve your writing and speaking skills. Remember that the ‘s’ ending is primarily used in the present simple tense with third-person singular subjects (he, she, it). Pay attention to the structure of verbs, practice regularly, and don’t hesitate to seek feedback to refine your understanding.

With consistent effort and attention to detail, you can confidently use ‘s’ ending verbs and achieve greater accuracy in your English communication. This guide has provided you with the essential knowledge and tools to master this important grammatical concept.

Now, put your knowledge into practice and continue to enhance your English language skills.

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