Mastering the use of ‘s’ ending verbs is crucial for forming grammatically correct sentences in the present simple tense, especially when dealing with third-person singular subjects. This seemingly small addition significantly impacts clarity and accuracy in communication.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and practicing ‘s’ ending verbs through engaging activities and clear explanations. Whether you’re an ESL student, a teacher looking for innovative methods, or simply someone wanting to brush up on grammar, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to confidently use ‘s’ ending verbs.
This article breaks down the complexities of ‘s’ ending verbs into manageable sections, covering definitions, structural rules, and common mistakes. The inclusion of numerous examples, tables, and interactive practice exercises makes learning both effective and enjoyable.
By the end of this guide, you’ll not only understand the grammar rules but also be able to apply them accurately in real-world contexts, enhancing your overall English proficiency.
Table of Contents
- Definition of ‘S’ Ending Verbs
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories
- Examples of ‘S’ Ending Verbs
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition of ‘S’ Ending Verbs
‘S’ ending verbs are verbs in the present simple tense that take an “-s” or “-es” ending when used with third-person singular subjects (he, she, it, or singular nouns). This grammatical rule helps to indicate the subject-verb agreement, ensuring that the verb form corresponds correctly with the subject of the sentence.
This is a fundamental concept in English grammar for clear and accurate communication.
The addition of ‘s’ or ‘es’ is not arbitrary; it follows specific rules based on the verb’s ending. Understanding when and how to add these endings is essential for constructing grammatically sound sentences.
The primary function of the ‘s’ ending is to denote that the action is being performed by a singular entity in the third person. Correct usage enhances the clarity and precision of your writing and speech.
Structural Breakdown
The basic structure involving ‘s’ ending verbs is quite straightforward but requires careful attention to subject-verb agreement. In the present simple tense, the verb takes an ‘s’ or ‘es’ ending only when the subject is a third-person singular noun or pronoun (he, she, it).
Otherwise, the base form of the verb is used.
Here’s a breakdown of the structure:
- Third-person singular subjects: He/She/It + Verb + -s/-es
- Other subjects: I/You/We/They + Verb (base form)
For example:
- He eats. (Third-person singular)
- They eat. (Other subject)
The choice between adding ‘-s’ or ‘-es’ depends on the ending of the base verb. Verbs ending in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -o typically require the addition of ‘-es’.
All other verbs usually take just ‘-s’.
Types and Categories
Understanding the different categories of verbs and how they form their ‘s’ endings is crucial for mastering this grammar point. Here are the main categories:
Regular Verbs
Regular verbs are the most common and simply add ‘-s’ to the base form when used with third-person singular subjects. For example, “walk” becomes “walks,” and “play” becomes “plays.”
Verbs Ending in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -o
Verbs that end in one of these letters typically add ‘-es’ instead of just ‘-s’. This is done to make the pronunciation easier.
Examples include “kiss” becoming “kisses,” “wash” becoming “washes,” “watch” becoming “watches,” “fix” becoming “fixes,” and “go” becoming “goes.”
Verbs Ending in Consonant + y
For verbs ending in a consonant followed by ‘y’, the ‘y’ is changed to ‘i’ and ‘-es’ is added. For instance, “study” becomes “studies,” and “cry” becomes “cries.” However, if the verb ends in a vowel followed by ‘y’, only ‘-s’ is added (e.g., “play” becomes “plays”).
Irregular Verbs
Some verbs have irregular forms in the third-person singular. The most common example is the verb “to have,” which becomes “has” in the third-person singular.
Examples of ‘S’ Ending Verbs
To solidify your understanding, let’s look at various examples categorized by the types of verbs we discussed. These examples will showcase how ‘s’ endings are applied in different contexts.
Examples of Regular Verbs
Regular verbs form their third-person singular form by simply adding ‘-s’. The following table presents a variety of regular verbs used in sentences with third-person singular subjects.
| Verb | Sentence |
|---|---|
| Walk | He walks to school every day. |
| Play | She plays the piano beautifully. |
| Eat | It eats all the food in its bowl. |
| Read | He reads a book before bedtime. |
| Write | She writes in her journal every night. |
| Sleep | He sleeps for eight hours. |
| Work | She works at a local hospital. |
| Cook | He cooks dinner for his family. |
| Clean | She cleans her room every Saturday. |
| Sing | He sings in the church choir. |
| Dance | She dances gracefully on stage. |
| Talk | He talks to his friends on the phone. |
| Listen | She listens to music while working. |
| Watch | He watches TV after dinner. |
| Think | She thinks about her future. |
| Dream | He dreams of traveling the world. |
| Hope | She hopes for a better tomorrow. |
| Smile | He smiles when he sees her. |
| Laugh | She laughs at his jokes. |
| Cry | He rarely cries. |
| Believe | She believes in herself. |
| Need | He needs help with his homework. |
| Want | She wants a new car. |
| Like | He likes to play basketball. |
| Love | She loves spending time with her family. |
Examples of Verbs Ending in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -o
Verbs ending in these letters require an ‘-es’ ending. This table provides examples to illustrate the correct usage.
| Verb | Sentence |
|---|---|
| Kiss | She kisses her baby goodnight. |
| Miss | He misses his family. |
| Wash | She washes the dishes after dinner. |
| Push | He pushes the door open. |
| Watch | She watches the sunset every evening. |
| Teach | He teaches English at the local school. |
| Catch | She catches the bus to work. |
| Fix | He fixes computers as a hobby. |
| Mix | She mixes the ingredients for the cake. |
| Go | He goes to the gym every morning. |
| Do | She does her homework after school. |
| Buzz | The bee buzzes around the flower. |
| Cross | He crosses the street carefully. |
| Dress | She dresses elegantly for the party. |
| Rush | He rushes to catch the train. |
| Fax | She faxes the document to the office. |
| Box | He boxes for fitness. |
| Approach | She approaches the podium confidently. |
| Preach | He preaches every Sunday. |
| Reach | She reaches for the top shelf. |
| Coach | He coaches the soccer team. |
| Waltz | She waltzes across the dance floor. |
| Echo | The sound echoes in the valley. |
| Hero | He heroes in his own mind. |
| Zero | The temperature zeros out tonight. |
Examples of Verbs Ending in Consonant + y
Verbs ending in a consonant followed by ‘y’ change the ‘y’ to ‘i’ and add ‘-es’. Observe the following examples.
| Verb | Sentence |
|---|---|
| Study | She studies English every day. |
| Cry | He cries when he is sad. |
| Try | She tries her best in everything. |
| Fly | It flies high in the sky. |
| Carry | He carries his books to school. |
| Worry | She worries about her exams. |
| Marry | He marries her in a beautiful ceremony. |
| Hurry | She hurries to catch the train. |
| Reply | He replies to the email immediately. |
| Apply | She applies for the job online. |
| Satisfy | He satisfies his hunger with a sandwich. |
| Occupy | She occupies her time with reading. |
| Identify | He identifies the problem quickly. |
| Terrify | It terrifies him to be alone in the dark. |
| Justify | She justifies her actions with good reasons. |
| Testify | He testifies in court. |
| Rectify | She rectifies the mistake immediately. |
| Quantify | He quantifies the data for the report. |
| Simplify | She simplifies the complex problem. |
| Specify | He specifies the requirements clearly. |
| Verify | She verifies the information before publishing. |
| Nullify | He nullifies the contract. |
| Petrify | She petrifies at the sight of spiders. |
| Beautify | He beautifies the garden with flowers. |
| Clarify | She clarifies the instructions for everyone. |
Examples of Irregular Verbs
Irregular verbs have unique forms, particularly “to have,” which changes to “has” in the third-person singular. Here are some sentences demonstrating this.
| Verb | Sentence |
|---|---|
| Have | He has a car. |
| Have | She has a dog. |
| Have | It has a long tail. |
| Do | He does his homework. |
| Do | She does the laundry. |
| Do | It does not matter. |
| Say | He says hello. |
| Say | She says goodbye. |
| Say | It says the weather is nice. |
Usage Rules
Several rules govern the proper use of ‘s’ ending verbs. These rules ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity in writing and speech.
Subject-Verb Agreement
The most fundamental rule is subject-verb agreement. The verb must agree in number with its subject.
This means that singular subjects take singular verbs (with ‘s’ endings), while plural subjects take plural verbs (base form).
Present Simple Tense
‘S’ ending verbs are primarily used in the present simple tense to describe habits, routines, general truths, and facts. For example, “He drinks coffee every morning” indicates a habitual action.
Exceptions
There are a few exceptions to the general rules. For example, modal verbs (can, should, will, etc.) do not take ‘s’ endings, regardless of the subject.
Also, the verb “be” has unique forms (is, are, am) that do not follow the regular ‘s’ ending rules.
Negative and Interrogative Forms
In negative sentences, use “does not” (or “doesn’t”) + base form of the verb for third-person singular subjects. In interrogative sentences, use “Does” + subject + base form of the verb.
For example:
- He does not eat meat.
- Does she like ice cream?
Common Mistakes
Several common mistakes can occur when using ‘s’ ending verbs. Recognizing and correcting these errors is essential for improving your English grammar.
Forgetting the ‘S’ Ending
One of the most frequent mistakes is forgetting to add the ‘s’ ending to the verb when using a third-person singular subject. For example:
- Incorrect: He eat.
- Correct: He eats.
Adding ‘S’ to All Verbs
Another common error is adding ‘s’ to verbs with subjects other than third-person singular. For example:
- Incorrect: I eats.
- Correct: I eat.
Incorrect Spelling with Verbs Ending in ‘Y’
A frequent mistake is not changing ‘y’ to ‘i’ before adding ‘-es’ to verbs ending in a consonant followed by ‘y’. For example:
- Incorrect: She studys.
- Correct: She studies.
Misusing “Have” and “Has”
Confusing “have” and “has” is also a common error. Remember that “has” is the third-person singular form.
For example:
- Incorrect: He have a car.
- Correct: He has a car.
Practice Exercises
To reinforce your understanding, complete the following exercises. These exercises will test your ability to correctly use ‘s’ ending verbs in various contexts.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in parentheses.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. She _______ (walk) to school every day. | walks |
| 2. He _______ (play) the guitar in a band. | plays |
| 3. It _______ (eat) all of its food. | eats |
| 4. She _______ (study) English at the university. | studies |
| 5. He _______ (watch) TV in the evening. | watches |
| 6. She _______ (wash) the dishes after dinner. | washes |
| 7. He _______ (go) to the gym regularly. | goes |
| 8. She _______ (have) a pet cat. | has |
| 9. He _______ (try) to learn new things. | tries |
| 10. It _______ (rain) a lot in the spring. | rains |
Exercise 2: Correct the Sentences
Correct the following sentences that contain errors in the use of ‘s’ ending verbs.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. He eat breakfast every morning. | He eats breakfast every morning. |
| 2. She study hard for her exams. | She studies hard for her exams. |
| 3. It have a long tail. | It has a long tail. |
| 4. He go to the park on Sundays. | He goes to the park on Sundays. |
| 5. She wash her clothes every week. | She washes her clothes every week. |
| 6. He play basketball with his friends. | He plays basketball with his friends. |
| 7. She cry when she is sad. | She cries when she is sad. |
| 8. It fly high in the sky. | It flies high in the sky. |
| 9. He do his homework after school. | He does his homework after school. |
| 10. She have a beautiful garden. | She has a beautiful garden. |
Exercise 3: Sentence Completion
Complete each sentence using the correct form of the verb provided.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. Every morning, he _______ (drink) a cup of coffee. | drinks |
| 2. She often _______ (visit) her grandmother on weekends. | visits |
| 3. The cat usually _______ (sleep) on the sofa. | sleeps |
| 4. He always _______ (finish) his work on time. | finishes |
| 5. She sometimes _______ (carry) her lunch to work. | carries |
| 6. He rarely _______ (miss) a day of school. | misses |
| 7. She frequently _______ (watch) movies online. | watches |
| 8. He generally _______ (teach) English to foreign students. | teaches |
| 9. It constantly _______ (try) to catch the mouse. | tries |
| 10. She occasionally _______ (reply) to emails late at night. | replies |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, understanding the nuances of ‘s’ ending verbs in more complex sentence structures and idiomatic expressions is essential. This goes beyond basic subject-verb agreement and delves into subtleties that can refine your English proficiency.
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, committee) can be tricky. If the collective noun is acting as a single unit, use the singular verb form with the ‘s’ ending.
If the members of the group are acting individually, use the plural form. For example:
- The team plays well together. (single unit)
- The team are disagreeing about the strategy. (individual actions)
Relative Clauses
In relative clauses, the verb must agree with the noun or pronoun it refers to. If the antecedent is third-person singular, the verb in the relative clause takes an ‘s’ ending.
For example:
- He is the student who studies the hardest.
Sentences Beginning with “Here” or “There”
In sentences that begin with “here” or “there,” the subject follows the verb. Therefore, you must identify the subject to determine whether to use the ‘s’ ending.
For example:
- Here is the book.
- There are many students in the class.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about ‘s’ ending verbs to further clarify any lingering doubts.
- Why do we need ‘s’ endings on verbs?
‘S’ endings on verbs are crucial for subject-verb agreement in the present simple tense. They indicate that the subject is a third-person singular noun or pronoun, helping to avoid confusion and ensure clarity in communication. Without them, sentences can sound grammatically incorrect and be misinterpreted.
- What if I’m not sure whether to use ‘s’ or ‘es’?
As a general rule, add ‘-es’ to verbs ending in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -o. For verbs ending in a consonant followed by ‘y’, change the ‘y’ to ‘i’ and add ‘-es’. Otherwise, just add ‘-s’. When in doubt, consult a dictionary or grammar guide.
- Are there any verbs that never take an ‘s’ ending?
Yes, modal verbs (e.g., can, should, will, must) never take an ‘s’ ending, regardless of the subject. Also, the base form of the verb is used with all subjects except third-person singular in the present simple tense.
- How do I form negative sentences with ‘s’ ending verbs?
To form negative sentences with third-person singular subjects, use “does not” (or “doesn’t”) followed by the base form of the verb. For example, “He does not eat meat.”
- How do I form questions with ‘s’ ending verbs?
To form questions with third-person singular subjects, use “Does” followed by the subject and the base form of the verb. For example, “Does she like ice cream?”
- What happens when I use a compound subject?
When you have a compound subject joined by “and,” you generally use the base form of the verb (without the ‘s’ ending), as it’s considered plural. For example: “John and Mary eat lunch together.” However, if the compound subject refers to a single entity or idea, you might use the ‘s’ ending. This is less common and depends on the specific context.
- Does the rule apply to all tenses?
No, the ‘s’ ending rule primarily applies to the present simple tense. In other tenses, the verb forms change based on different rules. For example, in the past simple tense, verbs usually take the ‘-ed’ ending, regardless of the subject.
- What about sentences starting with “it is”?
Sentences starting with “it is” can sometimes be followed by a relative clause. In such cases, the verb in the relative clause still needs to agree with the subject of that clause. For example: “It is John who plays the guitar.”
Conclusion
Mastering the use of ‘s’ ending verbs is a fundamental step in achieving fluency and accuracy in English. By understanding the rules, recognizing common mistakes, and practicing regularly, you can confidently use these verb forms in your writing and speech.
Remember to focus on subject-verb agreement, pay attention to verb endings, and familiarize yourself with the exceptions.
Continuous practice and exposure to the English language will further solidify your understanding. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – they are a natural part of the learning process.
With dedication and consistent effort, you’ll be able to use ‘s’ ending verbs accurately and effectively, enhancing your overall communication skills and confidence in using the English language.