3rd Person Singular Present

Rules for conjugating English verbs in different tenses

3rd Person Singular Present
PatternRuleExamples
+ sMost verbs: add -s
walkwalks
playplays
readreads
+ esVerbs ending in -s, -x, -z, -ch, -sh: add -es
watchwatches
fixfixes
buzzbuzzes
y → iesVerbs ending in consonant + y: change y to -ies
studystudies
carrycarries
flyflies

FAQ

What is verb conjugation in English?

Verb conjugation is the process of changing a verb's form to indicate tense, person, or number. In English, verbs conjugate for third person singular present (adds -s/-es), past tense (adds -ed or changes form), and present participle (adds -ing).

What is the third person singular present tense?

The third person singular present tense refers to the verb form used when the subject is he, she, or it (or any singular third-person noun). The most common change is adding -s or -es to the base verb, such as "He walks" or "She watches." This is one of the most fundamental rules in English grammar.

Why do we add -s for third person singular?

This is a grammatical remnant from Old English. In Old English, verbs had multiple endings for different persons, but as the language simplified over time, most endings disappeared. Only the third person singular -s/-es survived. Although it may seem redundant, it helps listeners quickly identify that the subject is a singular third person.

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