Understanding how to correctly spell and pronounce verbs ending in ‘s’ is crucial for clear and effective communication in English. This grammatical concept is fundamental for forming the present simple tense, which is used to describe habitual actions, general truths, and scheduled events.
Mastering this seemingly small detail can significantly improve your overall fluency and accuracy in both spoken and written English. This article is designed for English language learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced students, as well as teachers looking for comprehensive resources to explain this essential aspect of English grammar.
This article will cover the rules for adding ‘s’ to verbs, explore the different pronunciations of the ‘s’ ending, and provide numerous examples and practice exercises to help you confidently use verbs ending in ‘s’. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to form and pronounce these verbs correctly, enhancing your overall command of English grammar.
Table of Contents
- Definition: Verbs Ending in ‘S’
- Structural Breakdown: Forming Verbs Ending in ‘S’
- Types and Categories of Verbs Ending in ‘S’
- Examples of Verbs Ending in ‘S’
- Usage Rules: When to Use Verbs Ending in ‘S’
- Common Mistakes with Verbs Ending in ‘S’
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics: Irregular Verbs and Exceptions
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Conclusion
Definition: Verbs Ending in ‘S’
Verbs ending in ‘s’ are primarily used in the present simple tense to indicate actions performed by the third-person singular subjects (he, she, it). This grammatical form signifies a habitual action, a general truth, or a scheduled event. The addition of ‘s’ to the base form of the verb is a key marker of subject-verb agreement in English grammar.
Subject-verb agreement means that the verb form must match the subject in number (singular or plural). For example, “I eat” (first-person singular) becomes “He eats” (third-person singular).
The ‘s’ ending distinguishes the third-person singular form from other forms in the present simple tense.
The term “verbs ending in ‘s'” can refer to regular verbs that take an ‘s’ in the third-person singular, or verbs whose base form naturally ends with an ‘s’. This article mainly focuses on the former, i.e., the inflectional ending added to denote the third-person singular.
Structural Breakdown: Forming Verbs Ending in ‘S’
The formation of verbs ending in ‘s’ follows specific rules, which depend on the base form of the verb. These rules dictate how the ‘s’ is added and how the resulting word is pronounced.
Understanding these rules is essential for accurate spelling and pronunciation.
General Rule
For most verbs, simply add ‘s’ to the base form. This is the most common rule and applies to a wide range of verbs.
Example:
- eat → eats
- walk → walks
- read → reads
- play → plays
Verbs Ending in ‘-y’
For verbs that end in a consonant followed by ‘y’, change the ‘y’ to ‘i’ and add ‘es’. This rule is crucial for maintaining correct spelling and pronunciation.
Example:
- study → studies
- cry → cries
- try → tries
- fly → flies
However, if the verb ends in a vowel followed by ‘y’, simply add ‘s’ without changing the ‘y’.
Example:
- play → plays
- enjoy → enjoys
- stay → stays
- obey → obeys
Verbs Ending in ‘-s’, ‘-ss’, ‘-sh’, ‘-ch’, ‘-x’, or ‘-z’
For verbs ending in ‘-s’, ‘-ss’, ‘-sh’, ‘-ch’, ‘-x’, or ‘-z’, add ‘es’ to the base form. This rule helps to maintain pronounceability and avoid awkward sound combinations.
Example:
- kiss → kisses
- wash → washes
- watch → watches
- mix → mixes
- buzz → buzzes
- dress → dresses
- push → pushes
- teach → teaches
- fix → fixes
Irregular Verbs
Some verbs have irregular forms in the third-person singular. The most common irregular verb is ‘have’, which becomes ‘has’.
Example:
- have → has
The verb ‘do’ also follows an irregular pattern, becoming ‘does’.
Example:
- do → does
The verb ‘go’ follows the rule for verbs ending in -o and becomes ‘goes’.
- go → goes
Types and Categories of Verbs Ending in ‘S’
Verbs ending in ‘s’ can be categorized based on their function and spelling patterns. Understanding these categories can help you apply the rules more effectively.
Regular Verbs
These verbs follow the standard rules for adding ‘s’ or ‘es’ in the third-person singular. They are the most common type of verbs.
Examples:
- walks
- eats
- reads
- plays
- studies
- washes
- watches
Irregular Verbs
These verbs have unique forms in the third-person singular that do not follow the standard rules. They must be memorized individually.
Examples:
- has
- does
- goes
Stative Verbs
Stative verbs describe states of being, thoughts, or feelings rather than actions. They are often used in the present simple tense and thus frequently appear with the ‘s’ ending in the third-person singular.
Examples:
- knows
- believes
- likes
- hates
- owns
Action Verbs
Action verbs describe physical or mental actions. They are also commonly used in the present simple tense and take the ‘s’ ending in the third-person singular.
Examples:
- runs
- writes
- speaks
- jumps
- dances
Examples of Verbs Ending in ‘S’
Here are several tables providing examples of verbs ending in ‘s’ in different contexts. Each table focuses on a specific category of verbs and their usage in sentences.
Table 1: Regular Verbs Ending in ‘S’
This table provides examples of regular verbs in the third-person singular form, demonstrating how the ‘s’ is added to the base form.
| Verb (Base Form) | Third-Person Singular | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| walk | walks | He walks to school every day. |
| eat | eats | She eats lunch at noon. |
| read | reads | The student reads a book in the library. |
| play | plays | The child plays in the park. |
| sleep | sleeps | The baby sleeps soundly. |
| work | works | He works at a bank. |
| live | lives | She lives in a small town. |
| think | thinks | He thinks about the problem. |
| speak | speaks | She speaks English fluently. |
| write | writes | He writes a letter to his friend. |
| dance | dances | She dances beautifully. |
| sing | sings | He sings in the choir. |
| cook | cooks | She cooks dinner every night. |
| clean | cleans | He cleans his room on Saturday. |
| drive | drives | She drives to work. |
| travel | travels | He travels a lot for business. |
| learn | learns | She learns new things every day. |
| teach | teaches | He teaches English at the school. |
| help | helps | She helps her mom with chores. |
| visit | visits | He visits his grandparents every week. |
| call | calls | She calls her friend every evening. |
| carry | carries | He carries the heavy bag. |
| decide | decides | She decides what to wear. |
| draw | draws | He draws beautiful pictures. |
| explain | explains | She explains the lesson clearly. |
Table 2: Verbs Ending in ‘-y’
This table showcases verbs that end in ‘-y’ and how they change in the third-person singular, distinguishing between those preceded by a consonant and those preceded by a vowel.
| Verb (Base Form) | Third-Person Singular | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| study | studies | She studies hard for her exams. |
| cry | cries | The baby cries when he is hungry. |
| try | tries | He tries his best to succeed. |
| fly | flies | The bird flies high in the sky. |
| play | plays | He plays the guitar. |
| enjoy | enjoys | She enjoys reading novels. |
| stay | stays | He stays at home on weekends. |
| obey | obeys | The dog obeys his master. |
| copy | copies | She copies the notes from the board. |
| apply | applies | He applies for a job online. |
| reply | replies | She replies to the email promptly. |
| carry | carries | He carries the groceries inside. |
| destroy | destroys | The storm destroys the old building. |
| betray | betrays | He never betrays his friends. |
| delay | delays | She delays the meeting until next week. |
| portray | portrays | The movie portrays the character well. |
| annoy | annoys | He annoys his sister sometimes. |
| employ | employs | The company employs many people. |
| survey | surveys | The company surveys its customers. |
| convey | conveys | He conveys the message clearly. |
| display | displays | The museum displays ancient artifacts. |
| allay | allays | The medicine allays her pain. |
| relay | relays | She relays the information quickly. |
| fray | frays | The fabric frays at the edges. |
Table 3: Verbs Ending in ‘-s’, ‘-ss’, ‘-sh’, ‘-ch’, ‘-x’, or ‘-z’
This table illustrates how verbs ending in ‘-s’, ‘-ss’, ‘-sh’, ‘-ch’, ‘-x’, or ‘-z’ form the third-person singular by adding ‘es’.
| Verb (Base Form) | Third-Person Singular | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| kiss | kisses | She kisses her child goodnight. |
| wash | washes | He washes the dishes after dinner. |
| watch | watches | She watches TV in the evening. |
| mix | mixes | He mixes the ingredients for the cake. |
| buzz | buzzes | The bee buzzes around the flower. |
| dress | dresses | She dresses elegantly for the party. |
| push | pushes | He pushes the cart through the store. |
| teach | teaches | She teaches math to high school students. |
| fix | fixes | He fixes the broken chair. |
| pass | passes | He passes the ball to his teammate. |
| rush | rushes | She rushes to catch the bus. |
| preach | preaches | He preaches about love and peace. |
| box | boxes | He boxes at the local gym. |
| fizz | fizzes | The soda fizzes when you open it. |
| guess | guesses | She guesses the answer correctly. |
| wish | wishes | He wishes for a better future. |
| catch | catches | He catches the ball easily. |
| wax | waxes | She waxes the car every month. |
| waltz | waltzes | He waltzes at the ballroom dance. |
| cross | crosses | He crosses the street carefully. |
| approach | approaches | She approaches the problem logically. |
| dispatch | dispatches | He dispatches the orders quickly. |
| relax | relaxes | She relaxes by reading a book. |
| tax | taxes | The government taxes income. |
Table 4: Irregular Verbs
This table presents the irregular verbs ‘have’, ‘do’, and ‘go’ in the third-person singular, highlighting their unique forms.
| Verb (Base Form) | Third-Person Singular | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| have | has | He has a new car. |
| do | does | She does her homework every evening. |
| go | goes | He goes to the gym every day. |
Usage Rules: When to Use Verbs Ending in ‘S’
The primary rule for using verbs ending in ‘s’ is that they are used with third-person singular subjects (he, she, it) in the present simple tense. This tense describes habitual actions, general truths, and scheduled events.
Habitual Actions
Use verbs ending in ‘s’ to describe actions that occur regularly or habitually.
Examples:
- He drinks coffee every morning.
- She walks to work.
- It rains a lot in April.
General Truths
Use verbs ending in ‘s’ to express facts or general truths that are always or usually true.
Examples:
- The sun rises in the east.
- Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
- A cat eats mice.
Scheduled Events
Use verbs ending in ‘s’ to refer to events that are scheduled to happen in the future.
Examples:
- The train leaves at 9:00 AM.
- The concert starts at 8:00 PM.
- The movie begins in five minutes.
Exceptions and Special Cases
There are no major exceptions to the rule of using verbs ending in ‘s’ with third-person singular subjects in the present simple tense. However, it’s important to remember that this rule applies only to this specific tense and subject combination.
Modal verbs (can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would) never take an ‘s’ ending, regardless of the subject.
Examples:
- He can swim. (Not: He cans swim.)
- She will arrive tomorrow. (Not: She wills arrive tomorrow.)
Common Mistakes with Verbs Ending in ‘S’
One of the most common mistakes is forgetting to add the ‘s’ to the verb when using a third-person singular subject in the present simple tense. Another common error is adding ‘s’ to verbs with plural subjects or in other tenses.
Incorrect Subject-Verb Agreement
Incorrect: He eat lunch at noon.
Correct: He eats lunch at noon.
Incorrect: They eats lunch at noon.
Correct: They eat lunch at noon.
Adding ‘S’ to Other Tenses
Incorrect: He was eats lunch.
Correct: He was eating lunch.
Incorrect: She will goes to the store.
Correct: She will go to the store.
Misspelling Verbs Ending in ‘-y’
Incorrect: She studys every night.
Correct: She studies every night.
Incorrect: He playes the guitar.
Correct: He plays the guitar.
Forgetting ‘Es’ with Specific Endings
Incorrect: He watch TV.
Correct: He watches TV.
Incorrect: She fix the car.
Correct: She fixes the car.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of verbs ending in ‘s’ with these practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in parentheses.
Exercise 1: Regular Verbs
Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the verb in parentheses.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. He _______ (walk) to school every day. | walks |
| 2. She _______ (eat) lunch at noon. | eats |
| 3. The student _______ (read) a book in the library. | reads |
| 4. The child _______ (play) in the park. | plays |
| 5. The baby _______ (sleep) soundly. | sleeps |
| 6. He _______ (work) at a bank. | works |
| 7. She _______ (live) in a small town. | lives |
| 8. He _______ (think) about the problem. | thinks |
| 9. She _______ (speak) English fluently. | speaks |
| 10. He _______ (write) a letter to his friend. | writes |
Exercise 2: Verbs Ending in ‘-y’
Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the verb in parentheses.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. She _______ (study) hard for her exams. | studies |
| 2. The baby _______ (cry) when he is hungry. | cries |
| 3. He _______ (try) his best to succeed. | tries |
| 4. The bird _______ (fly) high in the sky. | flies |
| 5. He _______ (play) the guitar. | plays |
| 6. She _______ (enjoy) reading novels. | enjoys |
| 7. He _______ (stay) at home on weekends. | stays |
| 8. The dog _______ (obey) his master. | obeys |
| 9. She _______ (copy) the notes from the board. | copies |
| 10. He _______ (apply) for a job online. | applies |
Exercise 3: Verbs Ending in ‘-s’, ‘-ss’, ‘-sh’, ‘-ch’, ‘-x’, or ‘-z’
Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the verb in parentheses.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. She _______ (kiss) her child goodnight. | kisses |
| 2. He _______ (wash) the dishes after dinner. | washes |
| 3. She _______ (watch) TV in the evening. | watches |
| 4. He _______ (mix) the ingredients for the cake. | mixes |
| 5. The bee _______ (buzz) around the flower. | buzzes |
| 6. She _______ (dress) elegantly for the party. | dresses |
| 7. He _______ (push) the cart through the store. | pushes |
| 8. She _______ (teach) math to high school students. | teaches |
| 9. He _______ (fix) the broken chair. | fixes |
| 10. He _______ (pass) the ball to his teammate. | passes |
Exercise 4: Irregular Verbs
Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the verb in parentheses.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. He _______ (have) a new car. | has |
| 2. She _______ (do) her homework every evening. | does |
| 3. He _______ (go) to the gym every day. | goes |
| 4. She _______ (have) many friends. | has |
| 5. He _______ (do) volunteer work. | does |
Advanced Topics: Irregular Verbs and Exceptions
While the rules for forming verbs ending in ‘s’ are generally straightforward, there are some advanced topics and exceptions that are worth exploring. These include less common irregular verbs and nuances in usage.
Less Common Irregular Verbs
While ‘have’, ‘do’, and ‘go’ are the most common irregular verbs, some other verbs exhibit irregular behavior in specific contexts. For instance, some archaic or dialectal forms might not follow standard rules.
Subjunctive Mood
In the subjunctive mood, the third-person singular verb does not take an ‘s’ ending. The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, suggestions, or hypothetical situations.
Example:
- It is important that he be on time. (Not: he is on time)
- I suggest that she go to the doctor. (Not: she goes to the doctor)
Use of ‘Do’/‘Does’ in Questions and Negations
When forming questions or negative sentences in the present simple tense, the auxiliary verb ‘do’ or ‘does’ is used. In these cases, the main verb does not take an ‘s’ ending.
Examples:
- Does he like coffee? (Not: Does he likes coffee?)
- He does not like coffee. (Not: He does not likes coffee.)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some frequently asked questions about verbs ending in ‘s’, along with detailed answers to help clarify any remaining confusion.
- Why do we add ‘s’ to verbs in the third-person singular?
Adding ‘s’ to verbs in the third-person singular is a grammatical convention in English to indicate subject-verb agreement. It helps to distinguish the third-person singular form from other forms in the present simple tense, maintaining clarity and consistency in communication.
- What happens if I forget to add ‘s’ to a verb?
Forgetting to add ‘s’ to a verb can lead to confusion and grammatical errors. It disrupts subject-verb agreement, making your sentences sound incorrect and potentially difficult to understand. In formal writing, it is considered a significant error.
- Are there any verbs that never take an ‘s’ ending?
Yes, modal verbs (can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would) never take an ‘s’ ending, regardless of the subject. Additionally, verbs in the subjunctive mood do not take an ‘s’ ending in the third-person singular.
- How do I know when to add ‘es’ instead of just ‘s’?
Add ‘es’ to verbs that end in ‘-s’, ‘-ss’, ‘-sh’, ‘-ch’, ‘-x’, or ‘-z’. This rule helps to maintain pronounceability and avoid awkward sound combinations. For example, ‘watch’ becomes ‘watches’ and ‘kiss’ becomes ‘kisses’.
- What should I do if I’m unsure about the correct form of a verb?
If you’re unsure about the correct form of a verb, consult a dictionary or grammar guide. Many online resources also provide verb conjugations and examples. Practicing regularly and paying attention to how native speakers use verbs can also improve your accuracy.
- 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 and agreement.
- What are stative verbs and how do they relate to verbs ending in ‘s’?
Stative verbs are verbs that describe a state of being, thought, or feeling, rather than an action. Examples include know, believe, and like. They are often used in the present simple tense, so they frequently appear with the ‘s’ ending in the third-person singular. For example: “He knows the answer,” “She believes in ghosts,” and “It likes to sleep in the sun.” The key is that these verbs, because of their meaning, are naturally used in the present simple to describe ongoing states, making the ‘s’ ending common with third-person singular subjects.
- How can I improve my subject-verb agreement skills?
Improving subject-verb agreement skills requires consistent practice and attention to detail. Start by reviewing the basic rules of subject-verb agreement. Practice identifying the subject and verb in sentences, and ensure they agree in number. Read extensively and pay attention to how native speakers use verbs in different contexts. Completing grammar exercises and receiving feedback on your writing can also help you improve your accuracy.
Conclusion
Mastering the spelling and pronunciation of verbs ending in ‘s’ is a fundamental aspect of English grammar. By understanding the rules for adding ‘s’ or ‘es’ and recognizing the different pronunciations, you can significantly improve your accuracy and fluency in both spoken and written English.
Remember to pay attention to subject-verb agreement and practice regularly to reinforce your knowledge.
This article has provided a comprehensive overview of verbs ending in ‘s’, including definitions, structural breakdowns, examples, usage rules, common mistakes, and practice exercises. By reviewing this material and continuing to practice, you can confidently use verbs ending in ‘s’ in your everyday communication.
Keep practicing, and you’ll find that using these verbs correctly becomes second nature, enhancing your overall command of the English language.