In English, there’s an important rule about using 's' in the third person for the simple present tense.

This rule helps you change regular verbs correctly, especially when talking about one person or thing (like he, she, or it). If you understand this, your English will sound better and more natural.

How to Build Simple Present Sentences

To create a sentence in the simple present tense, you follow this basic pattern:

Subject + Verb + Object

But, when your subject is he, she, or it, you need to remember to add 's' or 'es' to the verb.

Let’s focus on regular verbs for now.

Basic Rule for Verbs

For most regular verbs, just add an 's' at the end when the subject is he, she, or it.

• Examples:
  • He plays basketball.
  • She looks happy.
  • The cat sleeps on the sofa.

When a Verb Ends with 'y'

If a verb ends with a consonant (like b, g, or d) and then has a 'y', change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es' when using he, she, or it.

• Examples:
  • He carries the books. (carry → carries)
  • She studies math. (study → studies)
  • The baby cries. (cry → cries)

When a Verb Ends with Certain Letters

If a verb ends with 'o', 'ch', 'sh', 'x', or 'z', you usually add 'es' instead of just 's.'

• Examples:
  • He goes to the store. (go → goes)
  • She watches TV. (watch → watches)
  • The dog brushes its fur. (brush → brushes)
  • It fixes the problem. (fix → fixes)
  • He buzzes loudly. (buzz → buzzes)

Asking Questions in the Simple Present

When you ask a question using the simple present tense for third person subjects, switch the order of the subject and the verb.

• Examples:
  • Does he play the guitar?
  • Does she cook dinner?
  • Does it rain here often?

Notice that we use "does" in questions, and the main verb goes back to its simple form without the 's.'

Negative Sentences

To say someone does not do something in the simple present tense, use 'does not' (or 'doesn’t') before the base form of the verb.

• Examples:
  • He does not (doesn’t) like coffee.
  • She does not (doesn’t) go to school on weekends.
  • It does not (doesn’t) work properly.

Here, you can see that the 's' from the positive sentence is dropped in the negative form.

Quick Summary of the Rules

1. Adding 's': For most verbs, just add 's' for he, she, or it.
2. Changing 'y' to 'i': If it ends with a consonant + 'y', change 'y' to 'i' and add 'es.'
3. Adding 'es': For verbs ending in 'o,' 'ch,' 'sh,' 'x,' or 'z,' add 'es.'
4. Questions: Use 'does' + subject + base verb.
5. Negatives: Use 'does not' (doesn't) + base verb.

Practice with Examples

Now, let's practice these rules:

1. He (to play) → He plays football.
2. She (to watch) → She watches a movie.
3. The dog (to bark) → The dog barks loudly.
4. It (to go) → It goes outside.

Questions:

1. Does he play football?
2. Does she watch a movie?
3. Does the dog bark loudly?
4. Does it go outside?

Negatives:

1. He does not play football.
2. She does not watch a movie.
3. The dog does not bark loudly.
4. It does not go outside.

By learning these rules, you’ll be able to create correct sentences in the third person for the simple present tense. This will help you improve your written and spoken English!