Mastering Verbs Ending in ‘S’: A Comprehensive Guide for ESL Learners

Understanding how to use verbs ending in ‘s’ is crucial for ESL learners to achieve accuracy and fluency in English. This seemingly small grammatical detail plays a significant role in conveying correct tense and subject-verb agreement, which are fundamental aspects of English sentence construction.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of verbs ending in ‘s’, covering their definition, structure, usage rules, common mistakes, and practice exercises. It is designed for ESL students of all levels who want to improve their understanding and use of this important grammatical concept.

By mastering this topic, learners can significantly enhance their ability to communicate effectively and confidently in English.

Table of Contents

• Definition: Verbs Ending in ‘S’
• Structural Breakdown
• Types and Categories of Verbs Ending in ‘S’
• Examples of Verbs Ending in ‘S’
• Usage Rules for Verbs Ending in ‘S’
• Common Mistakes with Verbs Ending in ‘S’
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Conclusion

Definition: Verbs Ending in ‘S’

Verbs ending in ‘s’ are typically used in the present simple tense to indicate actions performed by a singular, third-person subject (he, she, it, or a singular noun). This grammatical form is essential for indicating habitual actions, general truths, or scheduled events. The addition of ‘s’ to the base form of the verb signifies agreement between the subject and the verb. This agreement is a fundamental rule in English grammar, ensuring that sentences are grammatically correct and easily understood.

In essence, verbs ending in ‘s’ are a marker of subject-verb agreement in the present simple tense when the subject is a singular, third-person pronoun or noun. Without this agreement, sentences can sound awkward or incorrect to native English speakers.

Understanding this concept is vital for ESL learners to construct grammatically sound and natural-sounding sentences.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of verbs ending in ‘s’ follows a simple pattern. The base form of the verb is modified by adding ‘s’ or ‘es’ depending on the verb’s ending.

Here’s a breakdown:

• Most verbs: Add ‘s’ to the base form (e.g., work becomes works).
• Verbs ending in -ss, -x, -ch, -sh, -o: Add ‘es’ to the base form (e.g., kiss becomes kisses, fix becomes fixes, watch becomes watches, wash becomes washes, go becomes goes).
• Verbs ending in consonant + y: Change the ‘y’ to ‘i’ and add ‘es’ (e.g., study becomes studies, try becomes tries).

This structural rule ensures consistency and predictability in the English language. By understanding these rules, ESL learners can confidently form verbs ending in ‘s’ in various contexts.

The rules for adding ‘es’ are similar to those for pluralizing nouns, which can help learners remember them more easily.

Types and Categories of Verbs Ending in ‘S’

Verbs ending in ‘s’ are primarily used in the present simple tense with third-person singular subjects. However, understanding the nuances of their application requires a closer look at different verb types and contexts.

Action Verbs

Action verbs describe physical or mental actions. When used in the present simple tense with a third-person singular subject, they take the ‘s’ ending. For example: He runs, She reads, It eats.

Stative Verbs

Stative verbs describe states of being, thoughts, or feelings. While they are generally not used in the continuous tenses, they still follow the ‘s’ rule in the present simple with third-person singular subjects. For example: He knows, She believes, It seems.

Auxiliary Verbs

Auxiliary verbs, such as does (the third-person singular form of do), help to form questions and negative statements in the present simple tense. For example: Does he work here?, She does not like coffee.

Irregular Verbs

Some verbs have irregular forms. The most common irregular verb is to be, which has the form is for third-person singular subjects in the present simple tense. For example: He is, She is, It is.

Examples of Verbs Ending in ‘S’

The following tables provide extensive examples of verbs ending in ‘s’ in various contexts. These examples are categorized by verb type to illustrate their usage more clearly.

Table 1: Action Verbs Ending in ‘S’

This table showcases action verbs used with third-person singular subjects in the present simple tense. Pay attention to how the ‘s’ ending changes the verb form based on the subject.

Subject	Verb (Base Form)	Verb (with ‘S’)	Example Sentence
He	Walk	Walks	He walks to school every day.
She	Read	Reads	She reads a book before bed.
It	Eat	Eats	The dog eats its food quickly.
John	Work	Works	John works at a bank.
Mary	Sing	Sings	Mary sings in the choir.
The cat	Sleep	Sleeps	The cat sleeps on the sofa.
He	Play	Plays	He plays the guitar.
She	Dance	Dances	She dances beautifully.
It	Grow	Grows	The plant grows quickly.
John	Write	Writes	John writes emails every day.
Mary	Cook	Cooks	Mary cooks dinner for her family.
The cat	Chase	Chases	The cat chases mice in the garden.
He	Fix	Fixes	He fixes cars at the garage.
She	Wash	Washes	She washes her clothes on Mondays.
It	Buzz	Buzzes	The bee buzzes around the flowers.
John	Teach	Teaches	John teaches English at the university.
Mary	Brush	Brushes	Mary brushes her teeth every morning.
The cat	Scratch	Scratches	The cat scratches the furniture.
He	Go	Goes	He goes to the gym every evening.
She	Do	Does	She does her homework after school.
He	Fly	Flies	He flies a kite in the park.
She	Cry	Cries	She cries when she watches sad movies.
It	Dry	Dries	The sun dries the clothes quickly.
John	Study	Studies	John studies hard for his exams.
Mary	Carry	Carries	Mary carries her books to school.
The cat	Worry	Worries	The cat worries about the loud noises.

Table 2: Stative Verbs Ending in ‘S’

This table illustrates stative verbs, which describe states of being or mental processes, used with third-person singular subjects. Note that these verbs are generally not used in continuous tenses.

Subject	Verb (Base Form)	Verb (with ‘S’)	Example Sentence
He	Know	Knows	He knows the answer.
She	Believe	Believes	She believes in ghosts.
It	Seem	Seems	It seems like a good idea.
John	Understand	Understands	John understands the lesson.
Mary	Love	Loves	Mary loves chocolate.
The cat	Want	Wants	The cat wants food.
He	Hate	Hates	He hates doing chores.
She	Need	Needs	She needs a new car.
It	Contain	Contains	The box contains many items.
John	Remember	Remembers	John remembers his childhood.
Mary	Forget	Forgets	Mary forgets her keys often.
The cat	Prefer	Prefers	The cat prefers sleeping indoors.
He	Imagine	Imagines	He imagines himself as a superhero.
She	Realize	Realizes	She realizes her mistake.
It	Consist	Consists	The team consists of five members.
John	Recognize	Recognizes	John recognizes her from school.
Mary	Desire	Desires	Mary desires to travel the world.
The cat	Appear	Appears	The cat appears to be sleeping.
He	Own	Owns	He owns a large house.
She	Possess	Possesses	She possesses a great talent.
He	Envy	Envies	He envies his friend’s success.
She	Admire	Admires	She admires her teacher’s dedication.
It	Matter	Matters	It matters to him a lot.
John	Assume	Assumes	John assumes he will get the job.
Mary	Suppose	Supposes	Mary supposes it will rain tomorrow.

Table 3: Auxiliary Verb ‘Does’

This table demonstrates the use of the auxiliary verb ‘does’ to form questions and negative statements in the present simple tense with third-person singular subjects. It is crucial for constructing grammatically correct questions and negations.

Subject	Question Form	Negative Form
He	Does he work here?	He does not (doesn’t) work here.
She	Does she like coffee?	She does not (doesn’t) like coffee.
It	Does it rain often?	It does not (doesn’t) rain often.
John	Does John play football?	John does not (doesn’t) play football.
Mary	Does Mary speak Spanish?	Mary does not (doesn’t) speak Spanish.
The cat	Does the cat eat fish?	The cat does not (doesn’t) eat fish.
He	Does he understand the question?	He does not understand the question.
She	Does she live in London?	She does not live in London.
It	Does it need charging?	It does not need charging.
John	Does John drive to work?	John does not drive to work.
Mary	Does Mary enjoy reading?	Mary does not enjoy reading.
The cat	Does the cat sleep all day?	The cat does not sleep all day.
He	Does he watch TV often?	He does not watch TV often.
She	Does she listen to music?	She does not listen to music.
It	Does it snow in winter?	It does not snow in winter.
John	Does John visit his parents?	John does not visit his parents.
Mary	Does Mary call her friends?	Mary does not call her friends.
The cat	Does the cat climb trees?	The cat does not climb trees.
He	Does he exercise regularly?	He does not exercise regularly.
She	Does she drink coffee in the morning?	She does not drink coffee in the morning.

Table 4: Irregular Verb ‘To Be’ (Is)

This table demonstrates the use of the irregular verb ‘to be’ in its third-person singular form, ‘is’. Understanding this form is essential as it deviates from the regular ‘s’ ending rule.

Subject	Verb (To Be)	Example Sentence
He	Is	He is a student.
She	Is	She is a teacher.
It	Is	It is a beautiful day.
John	Is	John is my friend.
Mary	Is	Mary is happy.
The cat	Is	The cat is sleeping.
He	Is	He is tall.
She	Is	She is kind.
It	Is	It is cold outside.
John	Is	John is intelligent.
Mary	Is	Mary is busy.
The cat	Is	The cat is playful.
He	Is	He is at home.
She	Is	She is at work.
It	Is	It is on the table.
John	Is	John is in the garden.
Mary	Is	Mary is in the kitchen.
The cat	Is	The cat is under the chair.
He	Is	He is ready to go.
She	Is	She is prepared for the test.

Usage Rules for Verbs Ending in ‘S’

The primary rule for using verbs ending in ‘s’ is that they are used in the present simple tense with third-person singular subjects. However, there are nuances and exceptions to consider.

• Present Simple Tense: Use the ‘s’ form for habitual actions, general truths, and scheduled events.
• Third-Person Singular Subjects: This includes pronouns (he, she, it) and singular nouns (e.g., the dog, Mary).
• Exceptions: Modal verbs (e.g., can, should, must) do not take the ‘s’ ending, regardless of the subject. For example: He can swim (not He cans swim).
• Subjunctive Mood: In certain formal contexts, such as expressing wishes or hypothetical situations, the base form of the verb is used, even with third-person singular subjects. For example: I suggest that he be on time (not is).

Understanding these rules and exceptions is essential for accurate and effective communication in English. ESL learners should pay close attention to the subject of the sentence and the tense being used to ensure correct verb conjugation.

Common Mistakes with Verbs Ending in ‘S’

ESL learners often make mistakes when using verbs ending in ‘s’. Recognizing these common errors is the first step in avoiding them.

• Forgetting the ‘S’ Ending: This is the most common mistake. Example: He work (incorrect) vs. He works (correct).
• Using ‘S’ with Other Subjects: Applying the ‘s’ ending to verbs used with first-person (I, we) or second-person (you) subjects. Example: I works (incorrect) vs. I work (correct).
• Incorrect Spelling: Misspelling the verb ending (e.g., studys instead of studies).
• Using ‘S’ with Modal Verbs: Adding ‘s’ to modal verbs. Example: He cans (incorrect) vs. He can (correct).

Here are some more specific examples in table format:

Incorrect Sentence	Correct Sentence	Explanation
She go to school.	She goes to school.	The verb ‘go’ requires an ‘es’ ending with a third-person singular subject.
He have a car.	He has a car.	‘Have’ changes to ‘has’ with a third-person singular subject.
They works hard.	They work hard.	The ‘s’ ending is only for third-person singular subjects.
I plays the piano.	I play the piano.	The ‘s’ ending is not used with first-person singular subjects.
You studies English.	You study English.	The ‘s’ ending is not used with second-person singular subjects.
We likes pizza.	We like pizza.	The ‘s’ ending is not used with first-person plural subjects.
The students reads books.	The students read books.	The ‘s’ ending is not used with plural subjects.
He can speaks English.	He can speak English.	Modal verbs do not take the ‘s’ ending.
She must goes to the doctor.	She must go to the doctor.	Modal verbs do not take the ‘s’ ending.
It rains always.	It always rains.	Adverbs of frequency usually come before the main verb.
He not likes coffee.	He does not like coffee.	Use ‘does not’ for negative sentences with third-person singular subjects.
She don’t understand.	She doesn’t understand.	Use ‘doesn’t’ for negative sentences with third-person singular subjects.
Does he likes ice cream?	Does he like ice cream?	The main verb should be in the base form after ‘does’.
He study hard yesterday.	He studied hard yesterday.	Use the past tense form for actions in the past.
She is study now.	She is studying now.	Use the present continuous form for actions happening now.

Practice Exercises

The following exercises will help you practice using verbs ending in ‘s’. Choose the correct verb form in each sentence.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

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

Question	Answer
1. He _______ (work) at a hospital.	1. works
2. She _______ (read) books every night.	2. reads
3. It _______ (rain) a lot in April.	3. rains
4. John _______ (play) the guitar.	4. plays
5. Mary _______ (sing) in the shower.	5. sings
6. The cat _______ (sleep) all day.	6. sleeps
7. He _______ (watch) TV after dinner.	7. watches
8. She _______ (wash) her car on Sundays.	8. washes
9. It _______ (buzz) loudly.	9. buzzes
10. John _______ (teach) English.	10. teaches

Exercise 2: Correct the Mistakes

Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.

Question	Answer
1. She go to the store.	1. She goes to the store.
2. He have a dog.	2. He has a dog.
3. It don’t matter.	3. It doesn’t matter.
4. John not like coffee.	4. John does not like coffee.
5. Mary can speaks English.	5. Mary can speak English.
6. The bird flys in the sky.	6. The bird flies in the sky.
7. He study every night.	7. He studies every night.
8. She carry a heavy bag.	8. She carries a heavy bag.
9. It dry quickly in the sun.	9. It dries quickly in the sun.
10. He try his best.	10. He tries his best.

Exercise 3: Sentence Completion

Complete the following sentences with an appropriate verb ending in ‘s’.

Question	Answer
1. The sun _______ brightly in the morning.	1. shines
2. My mother _______ dinner every evening.	2. cooks
3. He often _______ to the gym after work.	3. goes
4. She always _______ her homework on time.	4. does
5. The dog _______ at strangers.	5. barks
6. The river _______ through the valley.	6. flows
7. He _______ the piano very well.	7. plays
8. She _______ her teeth twice a day.	8. brushes
9. The clock _______ every hour.	9. strikes
10. He _______ the newspaper every morning.	10. reads

Advanced Topics

For advanced ESL learners, understanding more complex aspects of verbs ending in ‘s’ can further refine their grammar skills.

• Formal Writing: In formal writing, pay close attention to subject-verb agreement, especially in complex sentences.
• Subjunctive Mood: Familiarize yourself with the subjunctive mood and its usage, particularly in formal contexts.
• Inverted Sentences: Inverted sentences can sometimes obscure the subject-verb agreement. For example: Here comes the bus (not Here come the bus).
• Collective Nouns: Collective nouns (e.g., team, family) can be tricky. If the collective noun is acting as a single unit, use the singular verb form (e.g., The team wins). If the members are acting individually, use the plural verb form (e.g., The team are arguing about their roles).

These advanced topics require a deep understanding of English grammar and context. Continued practice and exposure to diverse writing styles will help learners master these nuances.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

1. Why do we add ‘s’ to verbs with he, she, and it?

   The ‘s’ ending on verbs used with the pronouns he, she, and it (or singular nouns) in the present simple tense is a grammatical convention called subject-verb agreement. It helps to clearly indicate the relationship between the subject and the verb, ensuring that the sentence is grammatically correct and easily understood. This rule has evolved over time and is a fundamental aspect of English syntax.

2. What if the subject is a singular noun?

   If the subject is a singular noun (e.g., the dog, Mary), the same rule applies. You must add ‘s’ to the verb in the present simple tense. For example: The dog barks, Mary sings. The rule extends beyond pronouns to all singular nouns that represent a single entity.

3. What about plural nouns?

   With plural nouns (e.g., the dogs, the students), you do not add ‘s’ to the verb in the present simple tense. For example: The dogs bark, The students study. Plural nouns take the base form of the verb.

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

   Add ‘es’ to verbs that end in -ss, -x, -ch, -sh, or -o. This rule helps to maintain pronunciation and ease of articulation. For example: kiss becomes kisses, fix becomes fixes, watch becomes watches, wash becomes washes, and go becomes goes.

5. What if a verb ends in a consonant + y?

   If a verb ends in a consonant + y, change the ‘y’ to ‘i’ and add ‘es’. For example: study becomes studies, try becomes tries, and cry becomes cries. This rule is consistent with the rules for pluralizing nouns that end in consonant + y.

6. Do modal verbs take the ‘s’ ending?

   No, modal verbs (e.g., can, should, must, will, might) do not take the ‘s’ ending, regardless of the subject. For example: He can swim, She should study, It must work. Modal verbs are always followed by the base form of the verb.

7. What is the subjunctive mood, and how does it affect verb endings?

   The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, suggestions, or hypothetical situations. In the present subjunctive, the base form of the verb is used, even with third-person singular subjects. For example: I suggest that he be on time (not is). The subjunctive mood is more common in formal writing and speech.

8. How can I practice using verbs ending in ‘s’?

   Practice regularly by writing sentences, completing exercises, and reading English texts. Pay close attention to subject-verb agreement in all your activities. You can also use online resources and language learning apps to reinforce your understanding and improve your accuracy.

Conclusion

Mastering verbs ending in ‘s’ is a fundamental step for ESL learners to achieve grammatical accuracy and fluency in English. This guide has provided a comprehensive overview of the topic, covering its definition, structure, usage rules, common mistakes, and practice exercises.

By understanding the nuances of subject-verb agreement in the present simple tense, learners can significantly improve their ability to communicate effectively. Remember to pay close attention to the subject of the sentence and the tense being used to ensure correct verb conjugation.

Consistent practice and exposure to diverse English texts will further enhance your skills.

Continue to practice, review examples, and seek feedback to solidify your understanding. With dedication and effort, you can confidently use verbs ending in ‘s’ and communicate with greater accuracy and fluency.

Embrace the learning process and enjoy the journey of mastering English grammar. Good luck!