Mastering verb conjugation is crucial for accurate and fluent English. One of the first things English language learners encounter is the rule about adding an ‘s’ to verbs when the subject is ‘he,’ ‘she,’ or ‘it’ in the present simple tense.
This seemingly simple rule can sometimes be tricky due to exceptions and nuances. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding when and how to use the ‘s’ with verbs after ‘he,’ ‘she,’ and ‘it,’ complete with numerous examples, clear explanations, and practice exercises.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will help you solidify your understanding of this essential grammar point and avoid common mistakes.
This article will benefit English language learners of all levels, from those just starting to grasp the basics to more advanced speakers looking to refine their grammar skills. Native English speakers can also use this as a reference to ensure they are using correct verb conjugations.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition: Verbs That Take ‘S’
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories
- Examples
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition: Verbs That Take ‘S’
In English grammar, the rule that verbs take an ‘s’ after ‘he,’ ‘she,’ or ‘it’ applies specifically to the present simple tense. This rule is a fundamental aspect of subject-verb agreement, ensuring that the verb form corresponds correctly with its subject. When the subject of a sentence is a third-person singular pronoun (he, she, it) or a noun that can be replaced by one of these pronouns, the verb typically requires an ‘s’ at the end in the present simple tense. This grammatical convention helps maintain clarity and correctness in sentence structure and meaning.
For example, consider the verb “to walk.” While we say “I walk,” “you walk,” “we walk,” and “they walk,” we say “he walks,” “she walks,” and “it walks.” This ‘s’ distinguishes the third-person singular form of the verb in the present simple tense.
Structural Breakdown
The structural breakdown of this grammatical rule involves understanding the relationship between the subject and the verb. The subject of a sentence performs the action indicated by the verb.
In the present simple tense, the verb form changes depending on whether the subject is singular or plural, and also on the person (first, second, or third). The ‘s’ is added only to the third-person singular form.
Let’s break this down further:
- First Person Singular: I (e.g., I eat)
- Second Person Singular: You (e.g., You eat)
- Third Person Singular: He, She, It (e.g., He eats, She eats, It eats)
- First Person Plural: We (e.g., We eat)
- Second Person Plural: You (e.g., You eat)
- Third Person Plural: They (e.g., They eat)
The addition of ‘s’ is a morphological change, meaning it alters the form of the word to indicate grammatical information (in this case, the subject’s person and number). This ‘s’ is not a plural marker, which is a common misconception.
It solely indicates that the subject is third-person singular in the present simple tense.
Types and Categories
The rule of adding ‘s’ to verbs after ‘he,’ ‘she,’ or ‘it’ applies across various verb types. Understanding these types can help clarify its application:
Regular Verbs
Regular verbs are those that form their past tense and past participle by adding ‘-ed.’ In the present simple tense, they follow the standard rule of adding ‘s’ to the third-person singular form. Examples include ‘walk,’ ‘talk,’ ‘play,’ and ‘work.’ For instance, “He walks,” “She talks,” “It plays,” and “He works.”
Irregular Verbs
Irregular verbs do not follow the standard ‘-ed’ rule for past tense and past participle formation. However, they still adhere to the ‘s’ rule in the present simple tense for the third-person singular.
Common irregular verbs include ‘go,’ ‘have,’ and ‘do.’ Thus, we have “He goes,” “She has,” and “It does.”
Verbs Ending in ‘Y’
Verbs ending in ‘y’ sometimes require a spelling change when adding the ‘s.’ If the ‘y’ is preceded by a consonant, the ‘y’ is changed to ‘i’ before adding ‘es.’ For example, ‘study’ becomes ‘studies.’ If the ‘y’ is preceded by a vowel, the ‘s’ is simply added, as in ‘play’ becomes ‘plays.’
Verbs Ending in -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, -o
Verbs ending in -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -o generally require the addition of ‘es’ instead of just ‘s’ to the third-person singular form in the present simple tense. This is for ease of pronunciation.
Examples include ‘kiss’ becomes ‘kisses,’ ‘wash’ becomes ‘washes,’ ‘watch’ becomes ‘watches,’ ‘fix’ becomes ‘fixes,’ and ‘go’ becomes ‘goes.’
Auxiliary Verbs
Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, assist the main verb in a sentence. The most common auxiliary verbs that follow this rule are ‘be,’ ‘have,’ and ‘do.’ In the present simple tense, ‘be’ becomes ‘is’ (He is, She is, It is), ‘have’ becomes ‘has’ (He has, She has, It has), and ‘do’ becomes ‘does’ (He does, She does, It does).
Examples
To illustrate the application of the ‘s’ rule, let’s examine various examples across different verb types and contexts. The tables below provide a clear visual representation of how the verb form changes depending on the subject.
Regular Verbs
The following table showcases examples of regular verbs in the present simple tense, highlighting the addition of ‘s’ for third-person singular subjects.
| Subject | Verb (Base Form) | Verb (Third-Person Singular) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Walk | – | I walk to school every day. |
| You | Walk | – | You walk very fast. |
| He | Walk | Walks | He walks to the park in the afternoon. |
| She | Walk | Walks | She walks her dog every morning. |
| It | Walk | Walks | It walks slowly. |
| We | Walk | – | We walk together on weekends. |
| They | Walk | – | They walk to the store. |
| I | Play | – | I play the guitar. |
| You | Play | – | You play the piano wonderfully. |
| He | Play | Plays | He plays basketball after school. |
| She | Play | Plays | She plays the violin in the orchestra. |
| It | Play | Plays | It plays music from the computer. |
| We | Play | – | We play board games on family night. |
| They | Play | – | They play in the park every Sunday. |
| I | Work | – | I work from home. |
| You | Work | – | You work very hard. |
| He | Work | Works | He works as a teacher. |
| She | Work | Works | She works in a hospital. |
| It | Work | Works | It works perfectly now. |
| We | Work | – | We work on the project together. |
| They | Work | – | They work in different departments. |
Irregular Verbs
The following table demonstrates the use of ‘s’ with common irregular verbs in the present simple tense for third-person singular subjects.
| Subject | Verb (Base Form) | Verb (Third-Person Singular) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Go | – | I go to the gym every morning. |
| You | Go | – | You go to the library often. |
| He | Go | Goes | He goes to work by bus. |
| She | Go | Goes | She goes shopping on Saturdays. |
| It | Go | Goes | It goes without saying that practice is important. |
| We | Go | – | We go on vacation every summer. |
| They | Go | – | They go to concerts frequently. |
| I | Have | – | I have a car. |
| You | Have | – | You have a beautiful house. |
| He | Have | Has | He has a new job. |
| She | Have | Has | She has a lot of friends. |
| It | Have | Has | It has a strong engine. |
| We | Have | – | We have a big garden. |
| They | Have | – | They have a meeting tomorrow. |
| I | Do | – | I do my homework every evening. |
| You | Do | – | You do a great job. |
| He | Do | Does | He does the dishes after dinner. |
| She | Do | Does | She does yoga in the morning. |
| It | Do | Does | It does not matter. |
| We | Do | – | We do our best. |
| They | Do | – | They do charity work. |
Verbs Ending in ‘Y’
This table illustrates how verbs ending in ‘y’ change when adding ‘s’ for third-person singular subjects, considering the preceding letter.
| Subject | Verb (Base Form) | Verb (Third-Person Singular) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Study | – | I study English every day. |
| You | Study | – | You study hard for your exams. |
| He | Study | Studies | He studies science at university. |
| She | Study | Studies | She studies late into the night. |
| It | Study | Studies | It studies the effects of the medication. |
| We | Study | – | We study together in the library. |
| They | Study | – | They study different subjects. |
| I | Play | – | I play tennis on weekends. |
| You | Play | – | You play video games with your friends. |
| He | Play | Plays | He plays football in the park. |
| She | Play | Plays | She plays the lead role in the play. |
| It | Play | Plays | It plays a crucial role in the process. |
| We | Play | – | We play music in the band. |
| They | Play | – | They play cards on Friday nights. |
| I | Cry | – | I cry when I watch sad movies. |
| You | Cry | – | You cry when you see a touching scene. |
| He | Cry | Cries | He cries when he gets emotional. |
| She | Cry | Cries | She cries easily during sad stories. |
| It | Cry | Cries | It cries out in pain. |
| We | Cry | – | We cry together during difficult times. |
| They | Cry | – | They cry when they remember the past. |
Verbs Ending in -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, -o
This table provides examples of verbs ending in -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -o, demonstrating the addition of ‘es’ for third-person singular subjects.
| Subject | Verb (Base Form) | Verb (Third-Person Singular) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Kiss | – | I kiss my children goodnight. |
| You | Kiss | – | You kiss your partner goodbye. |
| He | Kiss | Kisses | He kisses her on the cheek. |
| She | Kiss | Kisses | She kisses the baby gently. |
| It | Kiss | Kisses | It kisses the idea of progress goodbye. |
| We | Kiss | – | We kiss each other hello. |
| They | Kiss | – | They kiss to show affection. |
| I | Wash | – | I wash the dishes after dinner. |
| You | Wash | – | You wash your car on Sundays. |
| He | Wash | Washes | He washes his hands frequently. |
| She | Wash | Washes | She washes the clothes every week. |
| It | Wash | Washes | It washes away the dirt. |
| We | Wash | – | We wash up after the meal. |
| They | Wash | – | They wash the windows regularly. |
| I | Watch | – | I watch TV in the evening. |
| You | Watch | – | You watch movies on weekends. |
| He | Watch | Watches | He watches sports on TV. |
| She | Watch | Watches | She watches the news every morning. |
| It | Watch | Watches | It watches over the city. |
| We | Watch | – | We watch the sunset together. |
| They | Watch | – | They watch out for each other. |
Auxiliary Verbs
The table below exemplifies the use of auxiliary verbs (‘be,’ ‘have,’ ‘do’) in the present simple tense, showing their third-person singular forms.
| Subject | Verb (Base Form) | Verb (Third-Person Singular) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Be | Am | I am a student. |
| You | Be | Are | You are a teacher. |
| He | Be | Is | He is tall. |
| She | Be | Is | She is beautiful. |
| It | Be | Is | It is raining. |
| We | Be | Are | We are friends. |
| They | Be | Are | They are happy. |
| I | Have | Have | I have a book. |
| You | Have | Have | You have a car. |
| He | Have | Has | He has a dog. |
| She | Have | Has | She has a cat. |
| It | Have | Has | It has a problem. |
| We | Have | Have | We have a house. |
| They | Have | Have | They have a party. |
| I | Do | Do | I do my homework. |
| You | Do | Do | You do your best. |
| He | Do | Does | He does the dishes. |
| She | Do | Does | She does the laundry. |
| It | Do | Does | It does not work. |
| We | Do | Do | We do our chores. |
| They | Do | Do | They do exercise. |
Usage Rules
The correct usage of verbs with ‘s’ after ‘he,’ ‘she,’ or ‘it’ hinges on understanding the context of the present simple tense and adhering to subject-verb agreement. The following sections detail the rules and exceptions.
Present Simple Tense
The present simple tense is used to describe habits, routines, general truths, and facts. It is also used for scheduled events in the near future.
Understanding when to use this tense is crucial for applying the ‘s’ rule correctly. For example:
- Habit: He drinks coffee every morning.
- Routine: She goes to work at 9 AM.
- General Truth: The sun rises in the east.
- Scheduled Event: The train leaves at 6 PM.
In each of these cases, because the subject is ‘he,’ ‘she,’ or ‘it,’ the verb takes an ‘s.’
Exceptions to the Rule
While the ‘s’ rule is generally consistent, there are exceptions. The most significant exception is when using auxiliary verbs in questions and negative statements.
In these cases, the ‘s’ is dropped from the main verb. Consider the following:
- Question: Does he like pizza? (Not: Does he likes pizza?)
- Negative Statement: He does not (doesn’t) like pizza. (Not: He doesn’t likes pizza.)
The auxiliary verb ‘does’ already indicates the third-person singular form, so the main verb remains in its base form.
Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement is the principle that the verb form must match the subject in number (singular or plural). The ‘s’ rule is a key component of this agreement in the present simple tense.
If the subject is singular (he, she, it, or a singular noun), the verb takes an ‘s.’ If the subject is plural (we, you, they, or a plural noun), the verb does not take an ‘s.’ For example:
- Singular: The dog barks loudly.
- Plural: The dogs bark loudly.
In the first sentence, ‘dog’ is singular, so ‘barks’ takes an ‘s.’ In the second sentence, ‘dogs’ is plural, so ‘bark’ does not take an ‘s.’
Common Mistakes
Several common mistakes can occur when applying the ‘s’ rule. Recognizing and correcting these errors is essential for accurate grammar.
Here are a few frequent errors and their corrections:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| He like pizza. | He likes pizza. | The verb ‘like’ needs an ‘s’ because the subject is ‘he.’ |
| She don’t like pizza. | She doesn’t like pizza. | For negative statements with ‘he,’ ‘she,’ or ‘it,’ use ‘doesn’t’ instead of ‘don’t.’ |
| Does he likes pizza? | Does he like pizza? | In questions with ‘does,’ the main verb does not take an ‘s.’ |
| The cat eat. | The cat eats. | ‘The cat’ is singular, so the verb ‘eat’ needs an ‘s.’ |
| My cats eats. | My cats eat. | ‘My cats’ is plural, so the verb ‘eat’ should not have an ‘s.’ |
| It are cold today. | It is cold today. | The correct form of ‘be’ for ‘it’ is ‘is.’ |
| He have a car. | He has a car. | The correct form of ‘have’ for ‘he’ is ‘has.’ |
| She go to school. | She goes to school. | The verb ‘go’ needs ‘es’ because the subject is ‘she.’ |
| He study hard. | He studies hard. | The verb ‘study’ becomes ‘studies’ because the subject is ‘he.’ |
| It watch TV. | It watches TV. | The verb ‘watch’ needs ‘es’ because the subject is ‘it.’ |
Practice Exercises
To reinforce your understanding of the ‘s’ rule, complete the following exercises. These exercises cover various aspects of the rule, including regular and irregular verbs, questions, and negative statements.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in parentheses. Remember to consider the subject and the tense.
| # | Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | He _______ (play) football every Sunday. | plays |
| 2 | She _______ (go) to the gym in the morning. | goes |
| 3 | It _______ (rain) a lot in April. | rains |
| 4 | He _______ (have) a new car. | has |
| 5 | She _______ (study) English at university. | studies |
| 6 | It _______ (work) perfectly now. | works |
| 7 | He _______ (do) his homework after school. | does |
| 8 | She _______ (watch) TV in the evening. | watches |
| 9 | It _______ (kiss) the sky at sunset. | kisses |
| 10 | He _______ (wash) his car every weekend. | washes |
Exercise 2: Correct the Sentences
Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences. If a sentence is correct, write “Correct.”
| # | Sentence | Corrected Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | He like to read books. | He likes to read books. |
| 2 | She don’t go to the party. | She doesn’t go to the party. |
| 3 | Does he likes ice cream? | Does he like ice cream? |
| 4 | It are a beautiful day. | It is a beautiful day. |
| 5 | She have a dog. | She has a dog. |
| 6 | He study every night. | He studies every night. |
| 7 | It work well. | It works well. |
| 8 | She watch the news. | She watches the news. |
| 9 | He wash his face. | He washes his face. |
| 10 | She kiss her baby. | She kisses her baby. |
Exercise 3: Sentence Construction
Construct sentences using the given subject and verb in the present simple tense. Make sure to apply the ‘s’ rule correctly.
| # | Subject | Verb | Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | He | Eat | He eats breakfast every morning. |
| 2 | She | Sing | She sings beautifully in the choir. |
| 3 | It | Shine | It shines brightly in the sky. |
| 4 | He | Run | He runs five miles every day. |
| 5 | She | Write | She writes novels in her free time. |
| 6 | It | Grow | It grows quickly in the garden. |
| 7 | He | Teach | He teaches English at the school. |
| 8 | She | Cook | She cooks delicious meals for her family. |
| 9 | It | Cost | It costs a lot of money to travel. |
| 10 | He | Fix | He fixes computers as a hobby. |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, understanding the nuances of subject-verb agreement can extend beyond simple sentences. Here are some advanced topics to consider:
Compound Subjects
A compound subject consists of two or more subjects joined by a conjunction such as ‘and’ or ‘or.’ When subjects are joined by ‘and’ and refer to different entities, they generally take a plural verb. However, if they refer to the same entity or idea, they take a singular verb.
For example:
- Plural: John and Mary are going to the party.
- Singular: Macaroni and cheese is my favorite dish.
When subjects are joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor,’ the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example:
- Singular: Either John or Mary is going to present.
- Plural: Neither the students nor the teacher is aware of the change.
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.
For example:
- Singular: The team is playing well tonight. (The team is acting as a unit.)
- Plural: The family are deciding on their vacation plans. (The family members are making individual decisions.)
Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns refer to nonspecific persons or things. Some indefinite pronouns are always singular (e.g., ‘each,’ ‘every,’ ‘someone,’ ‘anyone,’ ‘nobody’), while others can be singular or plural depending on the context (e.g., ‘some,’ ‘any,’ ‘none,’ ‘all’).
Singular indefinite pronouns require a singular verb. For example:
- Singular: Everyone is invited to the ceremony.
- Plural: Some of the students are going on the field trip.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about verbs that take ‘s’ after ‘he,’ ‘she,’ or ‘it’:
Why do we add ‘s’ to verbs after ‘he,’ ‘she,’ or ‘it’?
The addition of ‘s’ is a grammatical convention in English to indicate subject-verb agreement in the present simple tense. It helps to clearly distinguish the third-person singular form of the verb.
Does this rule apply to all tenses?
No, this rule applies specifically to the present simple tense. Other tenses have different rules for verb conjugation.
What if the subject is a noun instead of a pronoun?
If the noun is singular and can be replaced by ‘he,’ ‘she,’ or ‘it,’ the verb takes an ‘s.’ If the noun is plural, the verb does not take an ‘s.’
How do I handle questions and negative statements?
In questions and negative statements, use the auxiliary verb ‘does’ or ‘doesn’t’ for ‘he,’ ‘she,’ or ‘it,’ and keep the main verb in its base form without the ‘s.’
What about verbs ending in ‘y’?
If a verb ends in ‘y’ and is preceded by a consonant, change the ‘y’ to ‘i’ and add ‘es.’ If it’s preceded by a vowel, simply add ‘s.’
Conclusion
Mastering the ‘s’ rule for verbs after ‘he,’ ‘she,’ or ‘it’ is fundamental to accurate English grammar. By understanding the present simple tense, recognizing common verb types, and avoiding frequent mistakes, you can significantly improve your fluency and precision.
Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to subject-verb agreement in your writing and speaking. With consistent effort, you’ll confidently apply this rule and enhance your overall command of the English language.