Verbs Ending In S: Present Simple Tense Guide

The English language contains various types of verbs and conjugation rules, one notable characteristic involves verbs ending in “s”, particularly within the realm of present simple tense. These verbs often denote actions performed by a third person singular subject, such as “he,” “she,” or “it.” Understanding when and how to use these “s” ending verbs correctly is crucial for forming grammatically sound sentences. Moreover, the correct usage of these verbs significantly impacts sentence structure, ensuring clarity and precision in written and spoken communication.

Ever sent an email and cringed the moment you hit send? Maybe you realized you made a small grammar mistake. Or perhaps you just want to really nail that important presentation? Then mastering verbs is for you!

Verbs, my friends, are the backbone of every sentence. They’re the action heroes, the state-of-being gurus, the things that do! And understanding how they work is absolutely essential for crafting clear, effective, and grammatically sound sentences, which translates to more professional emails and nailing your academic papers.

Today, we’re diving deep into one specific quirk of verb-dom: those sneaky “s” endings. We will focus only on verbs that end in ‘s’, not other verb-related things! What are they really, and why do they show up? Don’t you worry, by the end of this post, you’ll know everything to do!

Here’s a sneak peek of our journey:

• Verb Conjugation: We’ll lay the groundwork for understanding how verbs change.
• Third-Person Singular: Unraveling the mystery of “he,” “she,” “it,” and the mighty “s.”
• Present Simple Tense: Discovering where “s” verbs naturally live.
• Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensuring verbs and subjects are the perfect match.
• Types of Verbs: Exploring how “s” verbs behave across different verb categories.
• Common Errors: Spotting and dodging those pesky mistakes.
• Irregular Verbs: Meeting the rule-breakers of the verb world.
• Practice Exercises: Putting your newfound knowledge to the test.

So, buckle up, grammar enthusiasts! Let’s demystify those “s” endings and level up your writing skills.

Verb Conjugation: The Foundation of Verb Forms

Alright, buckle up, grammar enthusiasts! Before we can even think about tackling those sneaky verbs ending in ‘s’, we need to lay down some groundwork. Think of it like building a house; you can’t just slap on a roof without a solid foundation, right? In our case, that foundation is verb conjugation.

Verb conjugation is basically how verbs morph and change their appearance to tell us more about what’s going on. It’s like they’re putting on different costumes to fit the occasion.

So, what exactly are these “occasions” that make verbs want to dress up? Well, they’re grammatical properties like:

• Tense: When did the action happen? Is it happening now (present), did it happen before (past), or will it happen later (future)?

• Person: Who’s doing the action? Is it I (first person), you (second person), or someone else (he, she, it, they – third person)?

• Number: How many people or things are doing the action? Is it just one (singular) or more than one (plural)?

• Mood: This is a bit trickier, but it shows the speaker’s attitude towards the action. Is it a statement of fact (indicative), a wish or possibility (subjunctive), or a command (imperative)?

Let’s take a super simple example: the verb “to walk.”

• In the present tense, first-person singular (“I”), it’s simply “walk.”
• But in the present tense, third-person singular (“he/she/it”), it becomes “walks!” See that sneaky ‘s’ creeping in? That’s conjugation in action!

Understanding verb conjugation is crucial, because it explains why verbs change, and why that ‘s’ pops up in certain situations. It’s not just random; it’s all part of the grand plan of grammar! Mastering verb conjugation will really make you a master of the English language, I swear!

Third-Person Singular: The ‘s’ Connection

Okay, folks, let’s get to the heart of the matter! You’ve probably seen it a million times: that sneaky little “s” popping up at the end of some verbs. But why is it there? Well, buckle up, because we’re about to demystify the third-person singular and its special relationship with that letter “s.”

So, what exactly is this “third-person singular” we keep mentioning? It’s not as complicated as it sounds! Think of it as a way of referring to a single person or thing that isn’t you (the speaker) or the person you’re talking to. In plain English, it’s “he,” “she,” “it,” or any singular noun.

For example:

• He loves pizza.
• She plays the guitar.
• It rains a lot here.
• The dog barks at strangers.

Notice that in each of these sentences, the verb gets an “s” at the end.

It’s super important to remember that verbs ending in “s” love hanging out with the third-person singular, especially when we’re talking in the present simple tense. It’s like they’re best buddies!

To hammer this home, here’s a list of common verbs doing their third-person singular thing:

• Action Verbs: Runs, walks, eats, drinks, sleeps, plays, writes, reads, thinks, feels.
• Irregular Verbs: Is, has, and says. (These guys are a little different, but still part of the “s” crew!)

Hopefully, that clears things up! Now you know that when you’re talking about “he,” “she,” “it,” or a singular noun, chances are you’ll need that little “s” on the end of your verb (at least in the present simple tense, which we’ll get into next!). Don’t worry, you’ve got this!

Present Simple Tense: The Natural Habitat of ‘s’ Verbs

Alright, let’s talk about the present simple tense. You might be thinking, “Ugh, tense? Sounds boring!” But trust me, this is where our little friends, the verbs ending in ‘s,’ really shine! Think of it as their natural habitat – where they feel most at home and show off their grammatical skills.

So, remember when we talked about the third-person singular? (He, she, it, or a singular noun, like “the cat”) Well, in the present simple, that’s when those verbs are most likely to strut their stuff with that ‘s’ at the end.

Now, what does the present simple actually do? Let’s break it down:

• Habitual Actions: These are things that happen regularly, like clockwork! Think of them as your daily (or almost daily) routines. For example, “He walks to school every day.” Or, “She drinks coffee every morning.” It’s the stuff you do repeatedly.

• Facts and General Truths: These are things that are, well, true! They’re statements that are generally accepted or describe the way the world works. Like the old faithful: “The sun rises in the east.” Or how about, “Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.” These are statements that remain constant.

• Scheduled Events: Okay, so maybe this one isn’t exactly set in stone, but it’s used for events that are on a timetable or schedule. “The train leaves at 9 AM.” Or, “The concert starts at 7:30 PM.” (Fingers crossed, on time!)

The present simple tense is all about conveying routine, permanence, or widely accepted knowledge. It’s the backbone of how we describe the world around us and the things we do day in and day out. Once you nail this, you’ll be using those ‘s’ verbs like a pro!

Subject-Verb Agreement: Taming the Grammatical Beasts!

Okay, folks, let’s talk about something that might sound scary but is actually pretty simple once you get the hang of it: Subject-Verb Agreement. In plain English, this means your verb needs to match your subject. It’s like making sure you have the right socks on; a simple task, but if you mess it up, things can get a little uncomfortable.

Think of it this way: your subject and verb are dance partners. If one’s doing the tango and the other’s doing the polka, it’s going to be a disaster! The verb must match the subject in number: If your subject is singular, you need a singular verb. If it’s plural, you need a plural verb. Simple, right?

Now, to make sure we’re all on the same page, particularly when we’re dealing with our sneaky little friend, the third-person singular in the present simple tense, let’s break it down further.

Cracking the Code: Subject-Verb Agreement with ‘s’ Verbs

When you’re dealing with a third-person singular subject (he, she, it, or a singular noun), and you’re writing in the present simple, that’s when the ‘s’ comes into play. The verb needs to reflect the fact that you’re talking about just one thing. Here’s how we make it happen:

1. Locate the Subject: Firstly, find the subject of your sentence. This is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about. Ask yourself, “Who or what is doing the action?”
2. Determine the Number: Next, determine if the subject is singular or plural. If it’s singular, that’s when you’ll often add an ‘s’ to the end of the verb. If it’s plural, keep the verb in its base form without the ‘s’.
3. Make ’em Match: Finally, ensure that the verb agrees with the subject in number. In other words, ensure that the verb is the correct form.

Examples in Action: See Subject-Verb Agreement in the Wild!

To better show you, I will give you some simple examples. Here are the basic examples of how this works:

• Singular Subject, Singular Verb: “The dog barks.” (One dog, one barking action)
• Plural Subject, Plural Verb: “The dogs bark.” (Multiple dogs, multiple barking actions).

Let’s break down a little more on finding the subject and determining its number.

• To find the subject, ask yourself “Who or what is performing the action?” Once you know that, you can figure out if it’s just one thing (singular) or more than one thing (plural).

And that’s it! It might take a little practice, but trust me, once you get the hang of subject-verb agreement, you’ll be writing like a pro!

Exploring Different Types of Verbs: It’s Not Just ‘Doing’ Stuff!

Okay, so you might think verbs are all about jumping, singing, and devouring that last slice of pizza. And you’re not wrong! Those are definitely verbs…the action-packed kind. But verbs are more versatile than your favorite Swiss Army knife! They come in different flavors, each with its unique role in making a sentence sing (or at least, make sense!). Let’s break them down:

Action Verbs: The Movers and Shakers

What they do:

These are the rockstars of the verb world! They describe actions. Think of anything you can do physically or mentally. These verbs often end with an ‘s’ in the third-person singular.

Examples:

• She runs marathons (and probably has amazing calves!).
• He eats pizza every Friday (no judgment here!).
• The puppy plays fetch with boundless enthusiasm.

Linking Verbs: Connecting the Dots (and Subjects!)

What they do:

These aren’t about action. Instead, they’re like the glue that connects the subject to a noun or adjective that describes it. The most famous of the bunch is “is“, but there are others.

Examples:

• She is a fantastic dancer.
• The weather seems gloomy today.
• He is very happy.

Stative Verbs: Describing a State of Being, Not Just an Action

What they do:

Stative verbs are all about describing a state of being, a condition, or a mental state. They express how something is, feels, or exists, rather than what it does. They don’t describe action, they describe condition.

Examples:

• He believes in the power of positive thinking.
• She knows the answer to the riddle.
• He understands the concept of quantum physics (impressive!).

Auxiliary Verbs: The Helping Hands of the Verb World

What they do:

Also known as helping verbs, these verbs partner with the main verb to add detail and nuance. They help express things like tense, possibility, or necessity.

Let’s Talk About ‘Does’:

“Does” is a super useful auxiliary verb that is often found to end with “s”. It is your go-to for forming questions and negative sentences in the present simple tense when the subject is in the third-person singular.

**Examples:****

• He does not like coffee. (Negative sentence)
• Does he like coffee? (Question)
• He does like coffee! (Emphasis – he really likes it!).

So, next time you’re crafting a sentence, remember that verbs come in more flavors than ice cream. Knowing the different types will help you choose the perfect verb for the job, ensuring your writing is clear, concise, and grammatically delicious!

Common Errors and How to Dodge Them: ‘s’ Marks the Spot (Sometimes!)

Okay, let’s be real. We’ve all been there. Staring blankly at a sentence, wondering if that darn ‘s’ belongs on the end of the verb or not. It’s like a grammatical minefield! Fear not, intrepid writers! This section is your guide to navigating those treacherous territories and emerging victorious (with perfectly conjugated verbs, of course). We are going to navigate through those common mistakes regarding verbs ending in ‘s’.

Misunderstanding Subject-Verb Agreement: The Grammar Tango

Think of subject-verb agreement like a tango. It takes two, and they need to be in sync! The subject of your sentence and the verb must agree in number (singular or plural). Seems simple, right? But sneaky situations can trip you up. Collective nouns, like “team,” “committee,” or “family,” can be particularly devilish. Are we talking about the group as a whole, or the individual members? Also, those pesky phrases that wedge themselves between the subject and the verb can throw you for a loop.

Here’s the lowdown: If you’re referring to the collective as a single unit, use the singular verb. If you’re emphasizing the individual members and their actions, use the plural.

Examples to the Rescue:

• Incorrect: “The team play well.”

• Correct: “The team plays well.” (The team as a whole is performing well.)

• Incorrect: “The team are arguing about their positions.”

• Correct: “The team is arguing about their positions.” (The team as a whole is in disagreement)

And for those pesky phrases in the middle: Identify the true subject of the sentence (the noun or pronoun that the verb is actually referring to), then ensure the verb agrees with it, ignoring everything else.

• Incorrect: “The book, along with the pens, are on the table.”
• Correct: “The book, along with the pens, is on the table.” (The subject is “book”, so it takes a singular verb.)

Confusing Plural Nouns with Singular Verbs: The ‘s’ Imposter

Here’s a classic case of mistaken identity! Just because a noun ends in ‘s’ doesn’t automatically make it plural (or mean the verb should lose its ‘s’). Some nouns are singular even though they sport that ‘s’ ending. Think of them as grammatical imposters, trying to trick you into using the wrong verb form. Words like “news,” “mathematics,” “physics,” “economics,” and “politics” are prime examples.

These words, despite their appearance, are considered singular nouns and require singular verbs. Don’t let that extra ‘s’ fool you!

Examples to the Rescue:

• Incorrect: “The news are interesting.”

• Correct: “The news is interesting.” (News as a singular topic.)

• Incorrect: “Mathematics are difficult.”

• Correct: “Mathematics is difficult.” (Mathematics as a single subject.)

By dodging these two common errors, you’ll be wielding verbs ending in ‘s’ like a grammar pro. Now go forth and write with confidence!

Irregular Verbs: The Rule Breakers

Alright, folks, buckle up because we’re about to dive into the wild, wonderful, and sometimes wacky world of irregular verbs! You know, those verbs that laugh in the face of rules and do their own thing? Yeah, those guys. Just when you think you’ve got the whole “add an ‘s'” thing down pat, BAM! Here come the irregulars to throw a wrench in your grammatical gears.

What Makes Them So… Irregular?

So, what’s the deal with these rebellious verbs? Well, unlike their well-behaved regular cousins, irregular verbs have unique conjugations. This means they don’t follow the standard pattern of adding an ‘s’ in the third-person singular present simple tense. Instead, they change their forms in unexpected ways. Think of them as the black sheep of the verb family – they’re different, but we still love them (sort of).

Meet the Usual Suspects: Have, Do, Say

Let’s take a look at a few common offenders: to have, to do, and to say. These verbs are used all the time, which is why it’s super important to know their irregular forms.

• To have: Instead of “haves,” we get has. For example, “He has a car.” Not “He haves a car.” That just sounds silly.
• To do: Forget “dos”; we’re rolling with does. “She does her homework.” “She do her homework?” Nope, no way.
• To say: And last, but certainly not least, to say morphs into says. “He says hello.” Not “He say hello.” Unless you’re trying to sound like a pirate, stick with says.

The Memorization Game

Now, here’s the kicker: there’s no secret formula or easy trick to learning these irregular verbs. You just have to memorize them. I know, I know, it sounds like a chore. But trust me, once you’ve got them down, you’ll be slinging sentences like a grammar pro. Create flashcards, make up silly sentences, do whatever it takes to get these irregular verbs stuck in your brain! I promise, it will be so worth it.

Practice Makes Perfect: Exercises to Sharpen Your Skills

Okay, grammar gurus (and grammar newbies – welcome!), you’ve bravely navigated the verb-infested waters of ‘s’ endings. Now, let’s put that newfound knowledge to the test! Think of this as grammar boot camp, but instead of push-ups, you’re doing verb-ups. Ready to flex those linguistic muscles?

Get Ready to Test Your Skills

These exercises are designed to help you confidently identify and use those tricky verbs ending in ‘s’ correctly. We’re talking real-world scenarios where nailing the grammar makes all the difference.

Types of Exercises: Time to Shine!

• Fill-in-the-Blank Fun:
  Imagine a mad lib, but for grammar! Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb provided.
  • He _______ (walk) to work every day. (Answer: walks)
  • She _______ (enjoy) reading novels. (Answer: enjoys)
  • The bird _______ (sing) beautifully in the morning. (Answer: sings)
  • My dog _______ (love) to play fetch. (Answer: loves)
  • The train _______ (arrive) on time. (Answer: arrives)
• Sentence Correction Challenges:
  Become a grammar detective! Spot the error in each sentence and rewrite it with the correct verb form.
  • The cat eat her food. (Corrected: The cat eats her food.)
  • He don’t like broccoli. (Corrected: He doesn’t like broccoli.)
  • She have a new car. (Corrected: She has a new car.)
  • The sun set in the west. (Corrected: The sun sets in the west.)
  • My brother play the guitar. (Corrected: My brother plays the guitar.)
• Multiple-Choice Mayhem:
  Test your subject-verb agreement skills with these tricky questions. Choose the option that makes the sentence grammatically sound.
  • The students _______ hard for their exams.
    a) study b) studies c) is study
  • My sister _______ in a bank.
    a) work b) works c) are work
  • The movie _______ at 7 PM.
    a) start b) starts c) is start
  • Each of the boys _______ a prize.
    a) win b) wins c) are win
  • The cost of living _______ increasing.
    a) keep b) keeps c) are keep

Answer Key for the Eager Learners:

Don’t worry, we’re not going to leave you hanging! An answer key will be provided for each exercise, so you can check your work and see how you’re progressing. This is about learning and improving, not just getting a perfect score. So, grab your grammar cap and let’s get practicing!

So, there you have it! A quick look at verbs ending in ‘s’. Hopefully, this has cleared up any confusion and maybe even made you appreciate the versatility of these little words. Now go forth and conjugate!