Simple present: 3rd person singular

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 Simple Present: 3rd Person Singular

Whenever you refer to a third person singular (He/She/It) in simple present, you must add -s to the verb following the spelling rules. Is it an option? No, it isn't. It is part of the grammatical structure of simple present. Therefore, it is your duty to manage the spelling rules to convey an accurate message.

AFFIRMATIVE STATEMENTS: 

Subject + Verb (base form) + s/es/ies (Depending on spelling rules) + complement + .

Spelling rules to add -s to 3rd person singular verbs in simple present

1. To most verbs add -s:
Cook - Cooks
Skate - Skates
Play - Plays

2. When the verb finishes in consonant + y, change the -y to an -i and add -es:
Cry - Cries
Study - Studies
Fly - Flies

3. When the verb finishes in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z, add -es:
Cross - Crosses
Wash - Washes
Catch - Catches
Fix - Fixes
Buzz - Buzzes

4. There are only 3 irregular spelling forms:
Do - Does
Go - Goes
Have - Has

🖉Let's do a short practice! Rewrite the following verbs in the third person singular form.
  • Live
  • Talk
  • Say
  • Eat
  • Shine
  • Like
  • Cook
  • Get
  • Wear
  • Change
  • Go
  • Know
  • Have
  • Work
  • Answer
  • Rain
  • Water
  • Book
  • Finish
  • Drink
  • Bring
  • Drive
  • Rest
  • Love
  • Feel
  • Enjoy
  • Think
  • Dry
Affirmative statement examples:
She speaks Spanish.
That dog has an unusual color.
Oscar lives in a small house.
 
There is another important feature to take into account when using verbs in the 3rd person singular: Pronunciation rules.

👀I suggest you to watch the following video and go over the different pronunciation rules.

NEGATIVE STATEMENTS

The negative statement structure is very simple, you only need to add -es to the auxiliary verb and keep the main verb in base form:

Subject + does not (doesn't) + main verb (Base form) + complement + .

Mercedes doesn't like sweets.
It doesn't make too much noise.
He doesn't do overtime.

🖉Quick exercise! Rewrite the following sentences in the negative form

  • Gracia's dog eats chicken.
  • Ernesto takes a shower early in the morning.
  • He has coffee before taking a shower.
  • Gloria bakes delicious bread.
  • My neighbor's cat disturbs too much at night.

QUESTIONS

As the negative statements, you just need to add -es to the auxiliary verb and keep the main verb in its base form. 

(Wh-word) + does + subject + main verb (base form) + complement + ?

Does your mother speak English ? Yes, she does. / No, she doesn't.
Where does she live? She lives in El Salvador.

🗭 Quick practice! Ask your classmate/friend 5 questions about one of their family members.

Here are the links which may help you strengthen this topic😉




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