Understanding how verbs change in the third-person singular present tense is crucial for accurate and fluent English communication. This involves correctly conjugating verbs by adding an ‘-s’ or ‘-es’ to their base form.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to mastering verbs with ‘s,’ focusing on practical speaking exercises and real-world examples. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this resource will equip you with the knowledge and skills to confidently use verbs ending in ‘s’ in your everyday conversations.
This article is designed for English language learners of all levels who want to improve their speaking accuracy and fluency. It’s also beneficial for teachers looking for effective resources to teach verb conjugation.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a solid understanding of the rules, exceptions, and common mistakes associated with verbs ending in ‘s,’ enabling you to communicate more effectively and confidently.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of Verbs with ‘S’
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories
- Examples of Verbs with ‘S’
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition of Verbs with ‘S’
Verbs with ‘s’ refer to the form of a verb used in the third-person singular present tense. In English grammar, when the subject of a sentence is he, she, or it (or any singular noun that can be replaced by these pronouns), the verb typically takes an ‘-s’ or ‘-es’ ending. This grammatical rule ensures subject-verb agreement, maintaining clarity and coherence in communication.
The primary function of adding ‘s’ to a verb is to indicate that the action is being performed by a single entity in the present moment. This conjugation distinguishes the third-person singular from other forms, such as the first-person singular (I), second-person singular and plural (you), and third-person plural (they), which all use the base form of the verb.
The context in which verbs with ‘s’ are used is almost exclusively in the present simple tense. This tense is used to describe habitual actions, general truths, and scheduled events.
Understanding this context is crucial for using verbs with ‘s’ correctly and avoiding grammatical errors.
Structural Breakdown
The formation of verbs with ‘s’ generally follows a simple pattern, but there are some important variations to consider. The most common rule is to add ‘-s’ to the base form of the verb. For example, walk becomes walks, eat becomes eats, and play becomes plays.
However, verbs that end in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z typically add ‘-es’ instead of just ‘-s’. This is to make the pronunciation easier. Examples include: kiss becomes kisses, wash becomes washes, watch becomes watches, fix becomes fixes, and buzz becomes buzzes.
Verbs that end in a consonant followed by -y change the -y to -i and then add ‘-es’. For example, study becomes studies, cry becomes cries, and fly becomes flies. However, if the verb ends in a vowel followed by -y, you simply add ‘-s’ as with most verbs (e.g., play becomes plays, enjoy becomes enjoys).
The verb have is an exception to these rules. Its third-person singular form is has, not haves.
Types and Categories
Regular Verbs
Regular verbs follow the standard rules for adding ‘-s’ to the base form. These verbs are the most common and straightforward to conjugate. Examples include walk, talk, eat, and sleep.
Verbs Ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, -z
Verbs ending in these sounds require the addition of ‘-es’ to maintain pronunciation clarity. This category includes verbs like kiss, wash, watch, fix, and buzz.
Verbs Ending in Consonant + -y
These verbs undergo a change in spelling, with the -y being replaced by -i before adding ‘-es’. Common examples are study, cry, try, and fly.
Irregular Verbs
Irregular verbs do not follow any specific rules and must be memorized individually. The most common irregular verb in this context is have, which becomes has in the third-person singular present tense.
Auxiliary Verbs
Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, assist the main verb in a sentence. The most relevant auxiliary verb here is do, which becomes does in the third-person singular present tense. For example, “He does his homework every day.”
Examples of Verbs with ‘S’
The following tables provide extensive examples of verbs with ‘s’ in various categories to illustrate their usage in sentences. These examples cover a wide range of verbs and contexts, helping you to understand how to apply the rules effectively.
Table 1: Regular Verbs
This table illustrates the use of regular verbs in the third-person singular present tense. Notice how the ‘-s’ is simply added to the base form of the verb.
| Verb | Third-Person Singular | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Walk | Walks | He walks to school every day. |
| Talk | Talks | She talks a lot on the phone. |
| Eat | Eats | It eats its food quickly. |
| Sleep | Sleeps | He sleeps for eight hours every night. |
| Work | Works | She works in a bank. |
| Read | Reads | He reads a book before bed. |
| Write | Writes | She writes emails every morning. |
| Cook | Cooks | He cooks dinner for his family. |
| Clean | Cleans | She cleans her room every Saturday. |
| Drink | Drinks | He drinks coffee in the morning. |
| Sing | Sings | She sings beautifully. |
| Dance | Dances | He dances at parties. |
| Play | Plays | She plays the piano. |
| Watch | Watches | He watches TV in the evening. |
| Listen | Listens | She listens to music while studying. |
| Study | Studies | He studies hard for his exams. |
| Think | Thinks | She thinks about her future. |
| Feel | Feels | He feels happy today. |
| Learn | Learns | She learns new things every day. |
| Grow | Grows | The plant grows quickly. |
| Open | Opens | He opens the door. |
| Close | Closes | She closes the window. |
| Smile | Smiles | He smiles at everyone. |
| Laugh | Laughs | She laughs at the joke. |
| Cry | Cries | He cries when he’s sad. |
Table 2: Verbs Ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, -z
This table shows verbs that require the addition of ‘-es’ due to their ending sounds, making pronunciation easier.
| Verb | Third-Person Singular | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Kiss | Kisses | He kisses his wife goodnight. |
| Wash | Washes | She washes the dishes after dinner. |
| Watch | Watches | He watches the news every evening. |
| Fix | Fixes | She fixes computers for a living. |
| Buzz | Buzzes | The bee buzzes around the flowers. |
| Dress | Dresses | She dresses elegantly for parties. |
| Brush | Brushes | He brushes his teeth twice a day. |
| Teach | Teaches | She teaches English at the local school. |
| Box | Boxes | He boxes at the gym three times a week. |
| Quiz | Quizzes | The teacher quizzes the students on grammar. |
| Guess | Guesses | He guesses the answer correctly. |
| Rush | Rushes | She rushes to catch the bus. |
| Perch | Perches | The bird perches on the branch. |
| Wax | Waxes | He waxes his car to keep it shiny. |
| Fuzz | Fuzzes | The microphone fuzzes when it’s too loud. |
| Cross | Crosses | He crosses the street carefully. |
| Push | Pushes | She pushes the door open. |
| Reach | Reaches | He reaches for the top shelf. |
| Mix | Mixes | She mixes the ingredients for the cake. |
| Doze | Dozes | He dozes off in the afternoon. |
| Miss | Misses | She misses her family. |
| Wish | Wishes | He wishes for a better future. |
| Approach | Approaches | She approaches the building cautiously. |
| Tax | Taxes | The government taxes income and property. |
| Fizz | Fizzes | The soda fizzes when you open it. |
Table 3: Verbs Ending in Consonant + -y
This table demonstrates how verbs ending in a consonant followed by ‘-y’ change to ‘-ies’ in the third-person singular.
| Verb | Third-Person Singular | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Study | Studies | He studies English at the university. |
| Cry | Cries | She cries when she watches sad movies. |
| Try | Tries | He tries his best in everything he does. |
| Fly | Flies | The bird flies high in the sky. |
| Carry | Carries | She carries her books in a backpack. |
| Worry | Worries | He worries about his exams. |
| Hurry | Hurries | She hurries to catch the train. |
| Marry | Marries | He marries his long-time girlfriend next year. |
| Apply | Applies | She applies for jobs online. |
| Satisfy | Satisfies | The food satisfies his hunger. |
| Defy | Defies | He defies the rules. |
| Multiply | Multiplies | The bacteria multiplies rapidly. |
| Occupy | Occupies | The army occupies the territory. |
| Identify | Identifies | She identifies the problem quickly. |
| Justify | Justifies | He justifies his actions. |
| Testify | Testifies | She testifies in court. |
| Terrify | Terrifies | The horror movie terrifies him. |
| Verify | Verifies | He verifies the information. |
| Rectify | Rectifies | She rectifies the mistake. |
| Simplify | Simplifies | He simplifies the complex problem. |
| Solidify | Solidifies | The concrete solidifies overnight. |
| Specify | Specifies | She specifies her requirements. |
| Supply | Supplies | He supplies the materials. |
| Qualify | Qualifies | She qualifies for the scholarship. |
| Beautify | Beautifies | He beautifies his garden. |
Table 4: Irregular Verbs
This table highlights the irregular verb have and its third-person singular form, has.
| Verb | Third-Person Singular | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Have | Has | He has a car. |
| Have | Has | She has a lot of friends. |
| Have | Has | It has a long tail. |
Table 5: Auxiliary Verbs
This table demonstrates the use of the auxiliary verb ‘do’ in the third-person singular form ‘does’.
| Verb | Third-Person Singular | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Do | Does | He does his homework every day. |
| Do | Does | She does the laundry on Sundays. |
| Do | Does | It does not work properly. |
Usage Rules
The primary rule is to add ‘-s’ or ‘-es’ to the base form of the verb when the subject is a third-person singular pronoun (he, she, it) or a singular noun. This rule applies only to the present simple tense.
If the verb ends in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z, add ‘-es’. If the verb ends in a consonant followed by -y, change the -y to -i and add ‘-es’. Remember that the verb have becomes has.
There are exceptions to these rules. For instance, modal verbs like can, should, must, and will do not change form in the third-person singular. Also, in subjunctive mood constructions, the verb remains in its base form regardless of the subject (e.g., “I suggest that he go to the doctor”).
When using auxiliary verbs like do in questions or negative statements, the main verb remains in its base form. For example, “Does he like pizza?” or “He does not like pizza.” The ‘s’ is already incorporated into ‘does’, so it is not needed on the main verb.
Common Mistakes
One of the most common mistakes is forgetting to add ‘-s’ or ‘-es’ to the verb when the subject is third-person singular. For example, saying “He eat” instead of “He eats.”
Another frequent error is incorrectly applying the rules for verbs ending in -y. For instance, not changing the -y to -i and adding ‘-es’ when the verb ends in a consonant followed by -y (e.g., “He studys” instead of “He studies“).
Using the third-person singular form in other tenses or with other subjects is also incorrect. For example, saying “I eats” or “He ates” is grammatically wrong.
Confusing the use of auxiliary verbs can also lead to mistakes. For example, saying “Does he eats?” instead of “Does he eat?” is incorrect because the ‘s’ is already present in ‘does’.
Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| He eat | He eats | Missing ‘-s’ in the third-person singular. |
| She study | She studies | Missing ‘-ies’ after changing ‘-y’ to ‘-i’. |
| It have | It has | Incorrect form of the irregular verb ‘have’. |
| Does he eats? | Does he eat? | ‘-s’ is not needed when using ‘does’. |
| They eats | They eat | ‘-s’ is only for third-person singular. |
Practice Exercises
Complete the following sentences by filling in the blank with the correct form of the verb in parentheses. These exercises will help you practice using verbs with ‘s’ in different contexts.
Exercise 1: Regular Verbs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. He ________ (walk) to work every day. | walks |
| 2. She ________ (talk) to her friends on the phone. | talks |
| 3. It ________ (eat) its food very slowly. | eats |
| 4. He ________ (sleep) for eight hours every night. | sleeps |
| 5. She ________ (work) at a hospital. | works |
| 6. He ________ (read) a newspaper in the morning. | reads |
| 7. She ________ (write) letters to her family. | writes |
| 8. He ________ (cook) dinner for himself. | cooks |
| 9. She ________ (clean) her apartment every week. | cleans |
| 10. He ________ (drink) coffee in the afternoon. | drinks |
Exercise 2: Verbs Ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, -z
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. He ________ (kiss) his children goodnight. | kisses |
| 2. She ________ (wash) her car on the weekends. | washes |
| 3. He ________ (watch) movies on Friday nights. | watches |
| 4. She ________ (fix) computers as her job. | fixes |
| 5. The bee ________ (buzz) around the garden. | buzzes |
| 6. He ________ (dress) well for important meetings. | dresses |
| 7. She ________ (brush) her hair before going out. | brushes |
| 8. He ________ (teach) math at the school. | teaches |
| 9. She ________ (box) at the local gym. | boxes |
| 10. The teacher ________ (quiz) the students regularly. | quizzes |
Exercise 3: Verbs Ending in Consonant + -y
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. He ________ (study) science at the university. | studies |
| 2. She ________ (cry) when she is sad. | cries |
| 3. He ________ (try) to do his best. | tries |
| 4. The bird ________ (fly) in the sky. | flies |
| 5. She ________ (carry) a heavy bag. | carries |
| 6. He ________ (worry) about his health. | worries |
| 7. She ________ (hurry) to get to work on time. | hurries |
| 8. He ________ (marry) his girlfriend next summer. | marries |
| 9. She ________ (apply) for jobs online. | applies |
| 10. The meal ________ (satisfy) his hunger. | satisfies |
Exercise 4: Mixed Practice
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. He ________ (have) a new car. | has |
| 2. She ________ (do) her homework after school. | does |
| 3. He ________ (play) football every weekend. | plays |
| 4. She ________ (watch) her favorite show. | watches |
| 5. He ________ (study) for his exams. | studies |
| 6. She ________ (wash) the dishes after dinner. | washes |
| 7. He ________ (try) to learn new things. | tries |
| 8. She ________ (eat) healthy food. | eats |
| 9. He ________ (talk) to his neighbor every morning. | talks |
| 10. She ________ (kiss) her child goodnight. | kisses |
Advanced Topics
In more complex grammatical structures, the use of verbs with ‘s’ can become nuanced. For instance, in sentences with compound subjects where one subject is singular and the other is plural, the verb form depends on the subject closest to the verb. Example: “Either John or his brothers bring the cake.”
In relative clauses, the verb with ‘s’ agrees with the antecedent of the relative pronoun. For example, “The book that he reads is very interesting.” Here, ‘reads’ agrees with ‘he’.
In some dialects of English, particularly in informal speech, the rules for subject-verb agreement may be relaxed. However, in formal writing and speaking, it’s important to adhere to the standard rules.
Understanding the difference between the present simple and present continuous tenses is crucial. The present simple, where verbs with ‘s’ are common, describes habitual actions, while the present continuous describes actions happening now. For example, “He eats breakfast every day” (habitual) versus “He is eating breakfast now” (happening now).
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about verbs with ‘s’:
- Why do we add ‘s’ to verbs in the third-person singular present tense?
Adding ‘s’ or ‘es’ to verbs in the third-person singular present tense is a grammatical rule in English to indicate subject-verb agreement. This helps to clearly identify who or what is performing the action in the present moment, distinguishing it from other subjects (e.g., I, you, we, they).
- What if the subject is a singular noun but not ‘he,’ ‘she,’ or ‘it’?
If the subject is a singular noun, such as “The dog” or “Mary,” you still use the verb form with ‘s’ or ‘es’. For example, “The dog barks” or “Mary studies.” This is because singular nouns can be replaced by the pronouns ‘he,’ ‘she,’ or ‘it’.
- Does the rule apply to all tenses?
No, the rule of adding ‘s’ or ‘es’ to verbs only applies to the present simple tense. In other tenses, such as the past simple or future simple, the verb form does not change based on the subject.
- What about compound subjects?
If the subject is compound and joined by “and,” it is generally considered plural, and you use the base form of the verb (without ‘s’). For example, “John and Mary eat lunch together.” However, if the compound subject refers to a single entity or idea, you use the verb with ‘s’. For example, “Macaroni and cheese is my favorite dish.”
- How do I form negative sentences and questions with verbs that require ‘s’?
To form negative sentences and questions, you use the auxiliary verb ‘does’ (for third-person singular) along with the base form of the main verb. For example, “He does not eat meat” or “Does she study every night?”
- What happens when a sentence starts with “Here” or “There”?
When a sentence starts with “Here” or “There,” the subject follows the verb. The verb must still agree with the subject. For example: “Here is the book” (singular) and “There are the books” (plural).
- Are there any other irregular verbs besides “have” that change in the third-person singular?
While “have” changing to “has” is the most common irregular verb in this context, the verb “be” also has irregular forms. In the present tense, “be” becomes “is” for the third-person singular (e.g., He is, She is, It is).
- How can I improve my accuracy in using verbs with ‘s’ in speaking?
Practice is key. Engage in regular speaking exercises, focus on subject-verb agreement, and pay attention to the verb endings. Listen to native English speakers and notice how they use verbs in the third-person singular. Additionally, record yourself speaking and identify areas where you can improve.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of verbs with ‘s’ is essential for accurate and effective communication in English. By understanding the rules, exceptions, and common mistakes, you can improve your speaking fluency and confidence.
Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to subject-verb agreement in your everyday conversations.
This article has provided a comprehensive guide to verbs with ‘s,’ including definitions, structural breakdowns, examples, usage rules, and practice exercises. By applying the knowledge and skills you’ve gained, you can confidently use verbs with ‘s’ in your speaking and writing.
Keep practicing, and you’ll soon master this important aspect of English grammar.