1.1. Spelling rules for the 3rd person singular (-s) in the Present Simple.
Present Simple: -s vs -es (he / she / it)
In he / she / it, verbs usually take -s, but sometimes -es.
The reason is pronunciation and spelling patterns.
1) Most verbs → just -s
If the verb ends with most letters, we simply add -s.
Examples:
meet → meetswork → worksplay → playsread → reads
Example sentence: She meets her friends every weekend.
So meet → meets is normal.
2) Verbs ending in certain sounds → -es
If the verb ends with these endings, we add -es:
-ch-sh-s-x-z-o
Examples:
watch → watcheswash → washespass → passesfix → fixesgo → goes
Example sentence: He watches TV every evening.
3) Why watch → watches?
Because watch ends with ch, which makes a /tʃ/ sound.
English spelling adds -es after these sounds to make pronunciation easier:
watch + s→ hard to saywatch + es→watches(natural pronunciation)
✅ Summary
| Verb ending | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Most verbs | +s |
meet → meets |
-ch, -sh, -s, -x, -z, -o |
+es |
watch → watches |