Mastering ‘S’ Ending Verbs in Formal Writing

Using verbs correctly is crucial for clear and effective communication, especially in formal writing. One common area of confusion is the use of ‘s’ endings on verbs.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and correctly using ‘s’ ending verbs in formal contexts. Whether you are a student, professional, or simply looking to improve your writing skills, this guide will help you master this essential grammar rule and enhance the clarity and professionalism of your writing.

This article will benefit anyone who wants to improve their command of English grammar. It will be particularly useful for ESL/EFL learners, students writing essays or research papers, professionals composing reports or emails, and anyone who wishes to enhance their writing clarity and precision.

Table of Contents

• Definition of ‘S’ Ending Verbs
• Structural Breakdown: Subject-Verb Agreement
• Types and Categories of Verb Agreement
  • Singular Subjects
  • Plural Subjects
  • Compound Subjects
  • Collective Nouns
  • Indefinite Pronouns
• Examples of ‘S’ Ending Verb Usage
  • Singular Subject Examples
  • Plural Subject Examples
  • Compound Subject Examples
  • Collective Noun Examples
  • Indefinite Pronoun Examples
• Usage Rules for ‘S’ Ending Verbs
  • Present Simple Tense
  • Third Person Singular Rule
  • Exceptions to the Rule
  • Formal vs. Informal Usage
• Common Mistakes with ‘S’ Ending Verbs
• Practice Exercises
  • Exercise 1: Identifying Correct Verb Forms
  • Exercise 2: Correcting Errors in Sentences
  • Exercise 3: Sentence Completion
• Advanced Topics in Verb Agreement
  • Subjunctive Mood
  • Relative Clauses
  • Inverted Sentences
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Definition of ‘S’ Ending Verbs

In English grammar, the term “‘s’ ending verbs” refers to verbs that end with the letter ‘s’ in the present simple tense, specifically when used with third-person singular subjects (he, she, it, or singular nouns). This grammatical feature is a key component of subject-verb agreement, ensuring that the verb form matches the number and person of the subject.

Understanding this concept is essential for constructing grammatically correct and clear sentences in formal writing.

The function of the ‘s’ ending is to indicate that the action is being performed by a singular subject in the present tense. Without the ‘s’ ending, the verb would typically be used with plural subjects or other persons (I, you, we, they).

The correct application of this rule is crucial for maintaining grammatical accuracy and avoiding ambiguity in writing.

The context in which ‘s’ ending verbs are used is primarily the present simple tense when referring to habitual actions, general truths, or facts. For example, “The sun rises in the east” illustrates a general truth using the ‘s’ ending on the verb ‘rises’ because the subject ‘sun’ is singular.

In formal writing, adhering to this rule is paramount for projecting professionalism and competence.

Structural Breakdown: Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental principle of English grammar that dictates the verb form must match its subject in number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third). The ‘s’ ending on verbs is a direct manifestation of this agreement in the present simple tense, specifically for third-person singular subjects.

Let’s break down the structural elements involved:

The basic structure of a sentence with an ‘s’ ending verb is: Singular Subject + Verb (with ‘s’ ending). For instance, in the sentence “She writes clearly,” ‘She’ is the singular subject, and ‘writes’ is the verb with the ‘s’ ending. This structure indicates that the action of writing is performed by a single person in the present tense.

Understanding the pattern of subject-verb agreement is essential for avoiding grammatical errors. For example, using the bare form of the verb with a singular subject (e.g., “He write”) is incorrect.

Conversely, using the ‘s’ ending with plural subjects (e.g., “They writes”) is also a common mistake. The table below illustrates correct and incorrect subject-verb agreement with ‘s’ ending verbs.

Subject	Correct Verb Form	Incorrect Verb Form
He	He sings	He sing
She	She dances	She dance
It	It rains	It rain
The dog	The dog barks	The dog bark
They	They sing	They sings
We	We dance	We dances
I	I rain	I rains
You	You bark	You barks
The dogs	The dogs bark	The dogs barks
The children	The children sing	The children sings
The company	The company operates	The company operate
A student	A student studies	A student study
The students	The students study	The students studies
My friend	My friend helps	My friend help
My friends	My friends help	My friends helps
The government	The government decides	The government decide
Governments	Governments decide	Governments decides
The author	The author writes	The author write
Authors	Authors write	Authors writes
The manager	The manager approves	The manager approve

As demonstrated in the table above, the ‘s’ ending is consistently applied to verbs used with singular subjects in the third person. This consistency is vital in formal writing to ensure clarity and correctness.

Types and Categories of Verb Agreement

Understanding the different types and categories of verb agreement is essential for mastering the use of ‘s’ ending verbs. These categories depend on the type of subject used in the sentence.

Singular Subjects

Singular subjects refer to one person, place, thing, or idea. With singular subjects in the third person (he, she, it), the verb in the present simple tense takes an ‘s’ ending.

For example: “He works,” “She reads,” “It shines.”

Plural Subjects

Plural subjects refer to more than one person, place, thing, or idea. With plural subjects, the verb in the present simple tense does not take an ‘s’ ending.

For example: “They work,” “We read,” “The stars shine.”

Compound Subjects

Compound subjects are two or more subjects joined by a conjunction such as “and” or “or.” When joined by “and,” the subject is generally considered plural, and the verb does not take an ‘s’ ending. For example: “John and Mary work together.” However, if the compound subject refers to a single entity or idea, the verb takes an ‘s’ ending.

For example: “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: “Neither the students nor the teacher wants to go.”

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns refer to a group of individuals but are treated as a single unit. Examples include “team,” “committee,” “family,” and “group.” In American English, collective nouns can be either singular or plural, depending on whether the emphasis is on the group as a whole or the individual members.

In formal writing, it’s often safer to treat them as singular. For example: “The committee meets every Tuesday.” However, if the emphasis is on the individual members acting separately, a plural verb is used.

For example: “The team are arguing about their roles.”

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns refer to nonspecific persons or things. Some indefinite pronouns are always singular (e.g., everyone, someone, nobody, each, every, either, neither), while others are always plural (e.g., both, few, many, several).

Some can be either singular or plural depending on the context (e.g., some, any, none, all, most). Singular indefinite pronouns require verbs with an ‘s’ ending.

For example: “Everyone understands the rule.” Plural indefinite pronouns require verbs without an ‘s’ ending. For example: “Both agree on the decision.”

Examples of ‘S’ Ending Verb Usage

To solidify your understanding, let’s explore a wide range of examples categorized by subject type. These examples will illustrate how ‘s’ ending verbs are used in various contexts.

Singular Subject Examples

The following table provides examples of sentences with singular subjects, demonstrating the correct use of verbs with ‘s’ endings. These examples cover a variety of subjects and verbs to illustrate the breadth of this grammatical rule.

Sentence	Subject	Verb
He studies diligently.	He	studies
She writes novels.	She	writes
It rains frequently in Seattle.	It	rains
The dog barks loudly.	The dog	barks
My sister plays the piano.	My sister	plays
The company operates globally.	The company	operates
A student studies hard.	A student	studies
My friend helps me.	My friend	helps
The government decides policy.	The government	decides
The author writes eloquently.	The author	writes
The manager approves the budget.	The manager	approves
The car runs smoothly.	The car	runs
The bird sings sweetly.	The bird	sings
The computer works perfectly.	The computer	works
The flower blooms beautifully.	The flower	blooms
The restaurant serves delicious food.	The restaurant	serves
The book contains useful information.	The book	contains
The movie entertains the audience.	The movie	entertains
The project requires careful planning.	The project	requires
The idea sounds promising.	The idea	sounds
The website provides valuable resources.	The website	provides
The system updates automatically.	The system	updates
The solution works effectively.	The solution	works
The theory explains the phenomenon.	The theory	explains
The evidence supports the claim.	The evidence	supports

These examples showcase how the ‘s’ ending is consistently applied to verbs when the subject is singular and in the third person, reflecting a fundamental aspect of English grammar.

Plural Subject Examples

This table illustrates the correct verb form when using plural subjects. Notice that in these cases, the verb does not take an ‘s’ ending.

Sentence	Subject	Verb
They study together.	They	study
We write articles.	We	write
The dogs bark loudly.	The dogs	bark
My sisters play tennis.	My sisters	play
Students study hard.	Students	study
My friends help me.	My friends	help
Governments decide policy.	Governments	decide
Authors write books.	Authors	write
The managers approve the projects.	The managers	approve
The cars run smoothly.	The cars	run
The birds sing beautifully.	The birds	sing
The computers work efficiently.	The computers	work
The flowers bloom in spring.	The flowers	bloom
The restaurants serve diverse cuisines.	The restaurants	serve
The books contain valuable knowledge.	The books	contain
The movies entertain millions.	The movies	entertain
The projects require teamwork.	The projects	require
The ideas sound innovative.	The ideas	sound
The websites provide essential services.	The websites	provide
The systems update regularly.	The systems	update
The solutions work effectively together.	The solutions	work
The theories explain complex phenomena.	The theories	explain
The evidences support the conclusions.	The evidences	support
The workers cooperate willingly.	The workers	cooperate
The athletes train rigorously.	The athletes	train

These examples clearly demonstrate that plural subjects do not require an ‘s’ ending on the verb in the present simple tense.

Compound Subject Examples

The following table illustrates the verb agreement with compound subjects joined by “and.” Remember, in most cases, compound subjects are treated as plural.

Sentence	Subject	Verb
John and Mary work together.	John and Mary	work
The cat and the dog play in the yard.	The cat and the dog	play
Coffee and tea are popular beverages.	Coffee and tea	are
My brother and I study every day.	My brother and I	study
The teacher and the student discuss the project.	The teacher and the student	discuss
The president and the vice president attend the meeting.	The president and the vice president	attend
The author and the editor collaborate on the book.	The author and the editor	collaborate
The chef and the sous chef prepare the meal.	The chef and the sous chef	prepare
The doctor and the nurse assist the patient.	The doctor and the nurse	assist
The engineer and the architect design the building.	The engineer and the architect	design
The musicians and the singers perform on stage.	The musicians and the singers	perform
The painters and the sculptors exhibit their art.	The painters and the sculptors	exhibit
The writers and the poets share their words.	The writers and the poets	share
The dancers and the actors rehearse the play.	The dancers and the actors	rehearse
The scientists and the researchers investigate the phenomenon.	The scientists and the researchers	investigate
The historians and the archaeologists study the past.	The historians and the archaeologists	study
The lawyers and the judges interpret the law.	The lawyers and the judges	interpret
The accountants and the auditors review the finances.	The accountants and the auditors	review
The programmers and the developers create the software.	The programmers and the developers	create
The marketers and the advertisers promote the product.	The marketers and the advertisers	promote

These examples illustrate the standard practice of using a plural verb form with compound subjects joined by “and.”

Collective Noun Examples

This table showcases examples of collective nouns and their verb agreement, treating them as singular entities in most formal contexts.

Sentence	Subject	Verb
The committee meets every Tuesday.	The committee	meets
The team works well together.	The team	works
The family lives in a big house.	The family	lives
The group decides to go hiking.	The group	decides
The company operates efficiently.	The company	operates
The audience applauds enthusiastically.	The audience	applauds
The class studies diligently.	The class	studies
The government announces new policies.	The government	announces
The jury delivers its verdict.	The jury	delivers
The board approves the proposal.	The board	approves
The staff cooperates effectively.	The staff	cooperates
The faculty supports the students.	The faculty	supports
The congregation prays together.	The congregation	prays
The orchestra plays beautifully.	The orchestra	plays
The nation celebrates its independence.	The nation	celebrates
The crowd gathers peacefully.	The crowd	gathers
The flock flies south for the winter.	The flock	flies
The swarm moves together.	The swarm	moves
The panel reviews the applications.	The panel	reviews
The union negotiates the contract.	The union	negotiates

While collective nouns can sometimes be treated as plural, these examples demonstrate their treatment as singular entities in formal writing contexts.

Indefinite Pronoun Examples

The following table provides examples of sentences using indefinite pronouns, illustrating correct verb agreement.

Sentence	Subject	Verb
Everyone understands the rule.	Everyone	understands
Someone knows the answer.	Someone	knows
Nobody cares about the issue.	Nobody	cares
Each student participates actively.	Each	participates
Every employee receives benefits.	Every	receives
Either option works for me.	Either	works
Neither choice seems ideal.	Neither	seems
Both agree on the decision.	Both	agree
Few attend the meeting.	Few	attend
Many believe in the cause.	Many	believe
Several participate in the study.	Several	participate
Some prefer coffee.	Some	prefer
All are welcome to join.	All	are
Most agree with the plan.	Most	agree
Anything is possible.	Anything	is
Everything changes over time.	Everything	changes
Something happens every day.	Something	happens
Nothing remains the same.	Nothing	remains
Another appears on the horizon.	Another	appears
One believes in miracles.	One	believes

These examples highlight the importance of identifying whether an indefinite pronoun is singular or plural to ensure correct verb agreement.

Usage Rules for ‘S’ Ending Verbs

Understanding the specific rules governing the use of ‘s’ ending verbs is crucial for accurate and effective writing. These rules are primarily related to the present simple tense and the concept of third-person singular agreement.

Present Simple Tense

The present simple tense is used to describe habitual actions, general truths, or facts. In this tense, the verb takes an ‘s’ ending only when the subject is third-person singular (he, she, it, or a singular noun).

For example, “He eats breakfast every morning” (habitual action), “The sun rises in the east” (general truth), “Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius” (fact).

Third Person Singular Rule

The third-person singular rule states that verbs in the present simple tense must end in ‘s’ when the subject is a singular noun or pronoun in the third person (he, she, it). This rule is a fundamental aspect of subject-verb agreement.

For example, “She works hard,” “The dog barks,” “It rains often.”

Exceptions to the Rule

There are a few exceptions to the ‘s’ ending rule. One notable exception is the use of auxiliary verbs such as “do,” “have,” and “be.” When these verbs are used to form questions or negative statements, the main verb does not take an ‘s’ ending.

For example, “Does he work here?” (not “Does he works here?”), “He does not work here” (not “He does not works here”). Another exception is the subjunctive mood, where the verb form remains the same regardless of the subject.

For example, “I suggest that he be present” (not “I suggest that he is present”).

Formal vs. Informal Usage

In formal writing, adherence to the ‘s’ ending rule is essential for maintaining credibility and professionalism. Informal writing, on the other hand, may sometimes deviate from this rule, especially in casual conversation or colloquial expressions.

However, in academic papers, business reports, and other formal documents, it is crucial to ensure that all verbs agree with their subjects according to standard grammatical rules.

Common Mistakes with ‘S’ Ending Verbs

Several common mistakes can occur when using ‘s’ ending verbs. Being aware of these errors can help you avoid them and improve the accuracy of your writing.

• Incorrect: He write well.
  
  Correct: He writes well.
• Incorrect: They writes clearly.
  
  Correct: They write clearly.
• Incorrect: The students studies hard.
  
  Correct: The students study hard.
• Incorrect: The company operate globally.
  
  Correct: The company operates globally.
• Incorrect: Does he works here?
  
  Correct: Does he work here?
• Incorrect: She do not like it.
  
  Correct: She does not like it.
• Incorrect: Everyone have an opinion.
  
  Correct: Everyone has an opinion.
• Incorrect: Each of the students are ready.
  
  Correct: Each of the students is ready.
• Incorrect: The team are playing well. (when referring to the team as a unit)
  
  Correct: The team is playing well.
• Incorrect: My friend and I studies together.
  
  Correct: My friend and I study together.

These examples highlight common errors in subject-verb agreement. Paying close attention to the subject and verb forms can help you avoid these mistakes and improve the accuracy of your writing.

Practice Exercises

To reinforce your understanding of ‘s’ ending verbs, complete the following practice exercises. These exercises will test your ability to identify correct verb forms, correct errors in sentences, and complete sentences with the appropriate verb forms.

Exercise 1: Identifying Correct Verb Forms

Choose the correct verb form in each of the following sentences.

Question	Options	Answer
1. He ______ to the library every day.	(a) go (b) goes	(b) goes
2. They ______ in the park.	(a) play (b) plays	(a) play
3. She ______ a book.	(a) read (b) reads	(b) reads
4. It ______ often in winter.	(a) snow (b) snows	(b) snows
5. We ______ to the music.	(a) listen (b) listens	(a) listen
6. The dog ______ loudly.	(a) bark (b) barks	(b) barks
7. The students ______ hard.	(a) study (b) studies	(a) study
8. My friend ______ me with my homework.	(a) help (b) helps	(b) helps
9. The government ______ new policies.	(a) announce (b) announces	(b) announces
10. The author ______ books.	(a) write (b) writes	(b) writes

Exercise 2: Correcting Errors in Sentences

Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.

Question	Corrected Sentence
1. He write well.	He writes well.
2. They writes clearly.	They write clearly.
3. The students studies hard.	The students study hard.
4. The company operate globally.	The company operates globally.
5. Does he works here?	Does he work here?
6. She do not like it.	She does not like it.
7. Everyone have an opinion.	Everyone has an opinion.
8. Each of the students are ready.	Each of the students is ready.
9. My friend and I studies together.	My friend and I study together.
10. The team are playing well.	The team is playing well.

Exercise 3: Sentence Completion

Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the verb in parentheses.

Question	Answer
1. She ______ (work) at the hospital.	works
2. They ______ (live) in New York.	live
3. It ______ (rain) a lot in April.	rains
4. We ______ (enjoy) the movie.	enjoy
5. He ______ (play) the guitar.	plays
6. The dog ______ (eat) its food.	eats
7. The students ______ (learn) quickly.	learn
8. My friend ______ (visit) me often.	visits
9. The government ______ ______ (make) important decisions.	makes
10. The author ______ (write) novels every year.	writes

Advanced Topics in Verb Agreement

Delving deeper into verb agreement reveals nuances and complexities beyond the basic rules. Understanding these advanced topics can further refine your writing skills and ensure accuracy in more complex sentence structures.

Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, suggestions, commands, or conditions that are contrary to fact. In the subjunctive mood, the verb form remains the same regardless of the subject.

This can be particularly relevant when dealing with ‘s’ ending verbs because the typical third-person singular ‘s’ ending is dropped.

For example:

• I suggest that he be present at the meeting. (Not “is”)
• It is essential that she arrive on time. (Not “arrives”)
• The doctor recommended that he stop smoking. (Not “stops”)

In these examples, the verbs “be,” “arrive,” and “stop” do not take the ‘s’ ending, even though the subjects “he” and “she” are third-person singular. This is because the verbs are in the subjunctive mood, which overrides the standard subject-verb agreement rule.

Relative Clauses

Relative clauses, introduced by relative pronouns such as “who,” “which,” and “that,” can also present challenges in verb agreement. The verb in the relative clause must agree with the noun or pronoun to which the relative pronoun refers (the antecedent).

For example:

• The student who studies diligently will succeed. (Singular antecedent “student” requires singular verb “studies”)
• The students who study diligently will succeed. (Plural antecedent “students” requires plural verb “study”)
• This is the book that contains the information you need. (Singular antecedent “book” requires singular verb “contains”)
• These are the books that contain the information you need. (Plural antecedent “books” requires plural verb “contain”)

In these examples, the verb in the relative clause agrees with the antecedent, demonstrating the importance of identifying the correct antecedent and its number.

Inverted Sentences

Inverted sentences, where the subject and verb are reversed, can also cause confusion in verb agreement. In these cases, it is essential to identify the subject correctly to ensure that the verb agrees with it.

For example:

• There is a book on the table. (Singular subject “book” requires singular verb “is”)
• There are books on the table. (Plural subject “books” requires plural verb “are”)
• Here comes the bus. (Singular subject “bus” requires singular verb “comes”)
• Here come the buses. (Plural subject “buses” requires plural verb “come”)

In these examples, the verb agrees with the subject, even though the subject follows the verb. Identifying the subject in inverted sentences is crucial for maintaining correct verb agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Mastering the use of ‘s’ ending verbs is essential for clear, accurate, and professional writing. By understanding the rules of subject-verb agreement, recognizing common mistakes, and practicing regularly, you can significantly improve your writing skills and enhance the credibility of your work.

Remember to pay close attention to the type of subject (singular, plural, compound, collective, indefinite), the tense of the verb, and any special circumstances such as the subjunctive mood or inverted sentences. With careful attention and consistent practice, you can confidently and correctly use ‘s’ ending verbs in all your formal writing endeavors.