Some verbs change their spelling when s is added in the third person singular.
a. Verbs ending in y
The English letters a, e, i, o and u are generally referred to as vowels. The other English letters are generally referred to as consonants.
When a verb ends in y immediately preceded by a consonant, the y is changed to ie before the ending s is added. In each of the following examples, the consonant immediately preceding the final y is underlined.
Bare Infinitive | Third Person Singular |
study | studies |
fly | flies |
carry | carries |
However, when a verb ends in y immediately preceded by a vowel, the y is not changed before the ending s is added. In each of the following examples, the vowel immediately preceding the final y is underlined.
Paying attention to which verbs change their spelling before adding s in the third person singular, fill in the blanks with the Simple Present of the verbs shown in brackets. Bare Infinitive | Third Person Singular |
say | says |
enjoy | enjoys |
buy | buys |
For example:
He always _______ promptly. (to reply) He always replies promptly.
She _____ little. (to say) She says little.
They _____ bridge once a week. (to play) They play bridge once a week.
Answers:
1. denies 2. try 3. pays 4. studies 5. display 6. enjoys 7. flies 8. employ 9. accompanies 10. buys
Verbs ending in o
When a verb ends in o, the letter e is added before the s ending. For example:
Bare Infinitive | Third Person Singular |
do | does |
echo | echoes |
go | goes |
c. Verbs ending in ch, s, sh, x or z
When a verb ends in a sibilant sound such as ch, s, sh, x or z, the letter e is added before the s ending. For example:
Bare Infinitive | Third Person Singular |
pass | passes |
push | pushes |
watch | watches |
fix | fixes |
buzz | buzzes |
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