Spelling rules for Third Person 'S'

The third person singular is very special in the Present Simple because when we talk about he, she or it, we add s or es to the base form of the verb. But, remember, there are some rules for when to use s or es.

Adding 's' for most verbs

For most verbs, we just add s to the end of the base form of the verb.

Examples:

• live → lives
• start → starts
• enjoy → enjoys
• rain → rains

Adding 'es' for specific verb endings

For verbs ending in s, ss, sh, ch, or x, we add es instead of just s.

• miss → misses
• wash → washes
• search → searches
• fix → fixes

Verbs ending in 'y'

If a verb ends in y, and the letter before the y is a consonant, we change the y to i and add es.

• study → studies
• carry → carries
• try → tries
• fly → flies

Exceptions

Some verbs have unique spelling changes in the third person singular form.

• have → has
• do → does
• go → goes