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In English, to conjugate a verb in the third person singular of the present tense (using the pronouns she / “she”, he / “he”, it / “it”), simply add the suffix –s. However, there are exceptions: some verbs have the suffixes -es or -ies, depending on their ending, and in other cases, they require an auxiliary verb and do not change their form. For example: I write / I write → He writes / He writes; They watch / “They watch” → She watches / “She watches”; Lucy doesn’t like sushi. / “Lucy doesn’t like sushi.”
Present Tense in English
In English grammar, the present tense is commonly used to:
- Express situations or actions that are permanent,
- Talk about events that are repeated over time,
- Describe routines, customs, or habits,
- Give directions or instructions,
- Agree on appointments or future actions.
The present simple and other tenses in English are formed from the verbs in the infinitive. This is achieved by removing the ‘to’ that precedes the verb. For example: to sleep (Sleep) → sleep: I often sleep a lot. / “I often sleep a lot.” Taking this into account, the structure of the sentences in the present tense is as follows:
- Affirmative sentence: Subject + verb + complement
- Negative sentence: Subject + auxiliary verb do/does not + verb + complement
- Interrogative sentence: Auxiliary verb do/does + subject + verb + complement
What is the Third Person Singular in English?
The third person singular in the English language consists of three pronouns: He, she, it. He and she correspond to the pronouns “he” and “she” in Spanish, respectively. On the other hand, the pronoun it is neuter and can mean “he”, “she”, or “it”. It is generally used to represent objects or animals.
How Verbs are Conjugated in the Third Person Singular
Unlike Spanish, in English present tense, verb conjugations do not change for pronouns I / “I”; you / «you»; we / “we”; they / «they». However, they do change when conjugating the verbs according to the third person singular: he / “he”; she / “she”, it / “it” (neuter). In those cases, a suffix is added to the end, which is usually -s. For example:
- You read daily. / “You read every day” → He reads daily. / “He reads every day.”
- I usually work on Saturdays. / “I usually work on Saturdays”. → She usually works on Saturdays. / “She usually works on Saturdays.”
Exceptions
There are also some exceptions to this rule. If the verb ends in: -s, -sh, -ch, -o, -x, -z, the suffix –es is added. For example:
- I kiss my baby all the time. / “I kiss my baby all the time.” → She kisses her baby all the time. / “She kisses her baby all the time.”
- We wash our hands before having lunch. / “We wash our hands before having lunch.” → He washes his hands before having lunch. / “He washes his hands before eating lunch.”
- They catch a cold at the beginning of the spring. / “They catch a cold at the beginning of spring.” → He catches a cold at the beginning of spring. / “He catches a cold at the beginning of spring.”
- They go for a walk every morning. / “They go for a walk every morning.” → He goes for a walk every morning. / “He goes for a walk every morning.”
- You always fix the broken appliances. / “You always fix broken appliances.” → He always fixes the broken appliances. / “He always fixes broken appliances.”
- The bees buzz around the garden. / “The bees buzz around the garden.” → One of them buzzes on a rose. / “One of them buzzes on a rose.”
Common Verbs to Which “-es” is Added
-s -sh -ch -o -x -z Miss → misses (to miss, to miss) Accomplish → Accomplishes (Achieve) Touch → Touches (Touch) Undergo → Undergoes (Submit to) Flex → Flexes (Flex) Fizz → Fizzes (Bubbly) Express / Expresses (Express) Polish → Polishes (Polish) Approach → Approaches (Approach) Veto → Vetoes (Veto) Relax → Relaxes (Relax) Whizz → Whizzes (Move quickly, be skilled) Discuss → Discusses (Debate) Nourish → Nourishes (Nourish) Attach → Attaches (Attach) Outdo → Outdoes (Overcome) Wax → Waxes (Wax) Waltz → Waltzes (Waltz) Guess → Guesses (Assume) Wish → Wishes (Wish) Fetch → Fetches (Search) Go → Goes (Go) Box → Boxes (Box, pack) Spritz → Spritzes (Spray) Confess → Confesses (Confess) Furnish → Furnishes (Furnish) Itch → Itches (Itch) Forgo → Forgoes (Give up) Affix → Affixes (Attach) Quiz → Quizzes (Evaluate)
Other Exceptions
In verbs that end with a -y that is preceded by a consonant, the “y” is replaced by an “i”, and the verb then takes the suffix -ies at the end. For example:
- We study for each exam. / “We study for each exam.” → He studies for each exam. / “He studies for every exam.”
Common Verbs to Which –ies is Added
Below is a list of some of the most common verbs in the third person singular present tense that have “-ies” added when they end in -y preceded by a consonant.
Identify → Identifies (Identify) Embody → Embodies (Embody) Rely → Relies (Trust, be based on) Fry → Fries (Fry) Worry → Worries Justify → Justifies (Justify) Fly → Flies (Fly) Modify → Modifies (Modify) Apply → Applies (Apply) Try → Tries (Try) Classify → Classifies (Classify) Qualify → Qualifies (Qualify)
When “-s” is NOT Added to the Third Person Singular in the Present Simple
In addition to the exceptions mentioned, there are other cases in which the suffixes -s or -es are not added in the present tense of the third person singular. These are:
- auxiliary verbs
- The irregular verbs be and have
- The modal verbs
Auxiliary Verbs
Auxiliary verbs help the main verb to express other tenses, voices, or modes. Generally, they are used to change the tense, to emphasize, or to form negative or interrogative sentences.
Negative Sentences
In negative sentences in the third person singular, the verbs do not take -s, but are preceded by an auxiliary verb and the negation adverb not. The main verb does not change. For example:
Do (do-does) → doesn’t I don’t listen to classical music. / “I don’t listen to classical music”. → He doesn’t listen to classical music. / “He doesn’t listen to classical music.” Be (am-are-is) → isn’t We are not happy. / “We are not happy.” → His dad isn’t happy. / “His father isn’t happy.” Have (have-has) → hasn’t They haven’t got a new car. / “They don’t have a new car.” → It doesn’t have a new computer system. / “It doesn’t have a new computer system.”
It is important to note that the verb do is also used as an auxiliary to give greater emphasis to the main verb in affirmative sentences. To do this, it is placed before said verb. In the case of the third person singular, the does form of the verb do is used and the main verb is not modified. For example:
I do love that movie. / “Yes, I love that movie.” → She does love that movie. / “She does love that movie.”
Interrogative Sentences
To form interrogative sentences in the present tense, the auxiliary verb do is used. In the case of the third person singular, the form does is also used and the main verb does not change. For example:
Do you have a pen? / “Do you have a pen?” → Does she have a pen? / Does she have a pen? Do they go to school every day? / Do you go to school every day? → Does he go to school every day? / Does he go to school every day?
The Irregular Verbs Be and Have
The irregular verbs be, which means “to be” and have, which means “to have”, completely change their verbal form for the third person singular.
Be (am-are-is) → is (‘s) You are pretty today. / “You’re pretty today.” → She is pretty today. / “She is pretty today.” Have (have-has) → has (‘s) We have a dog. / “We have a dog”. → It has a small dog. / “It has a small dog.”
The Modal Verbs
Another exception is modal verbs, which are auxiliary verbs used to express an opinion, talk about a skill, or make a request.
Modal verbs are conjugated in the same way for all personal pronouns:
Can (expresses ability, power) May (indicates possibility) Will (future) Ought to (express duty) Must (indicates a prohibition) Could (express possibility) Might (indicates possibility) Shall (used to indicate that something is going to be done) Should (indicates duty) Would (indicates a wish or power)
These verbs are placed before the main verb. In the case of the third person singular, the main verb does not change either. For example:
We can play the piano. / “We can play the piano.” → She can play the piano. / “She can play the piano”. I should work tomorrow. / “I should work tomorrow.” → He should work tomorrow. / “He should work tomorrow.” Our dogs will jump over the fence. / “Our dogs will jump over the fence.” → One of them will jump over the fence. / “One of them will jump over the fence.”
More Sample Sentences
Other examples of sentences in the present tense with conjugated verbs in the third person singular are:
My mother makes tasty dishes. / “My mother prepares tasty dishes.” Their doctor relies on the tests to diagnose his patients. / “The doctor relies on the tests to diagnose his patients.” Erica nourishes her skin with natural products. / “Erica nourishes her skin with natural products.” He isn’t tall. / “He isn’t tall”. My cat is black and brown. / “My cat is black and brown.” His father does speak very quickly. / “His father speaks very quickly.” The band plays every Monday. / “The band plays every Monday.” Robert laughs when he hears a good joke. / “Robert laughs when he hears a good joke.” My neighbor usually discusses the current global issues. / “My neighbor often discusses current global issues.” He misses his girlfriend. / “He misses his girlfriend.”
Sources
Sánchez Benedito, F. English grammar. (2007). Spain. Anaya Education Group. Teaching Center Academic Team. (2021, March 18).
Present simple in English: structure, rules, and examples. British Council.
Learn English fast and easy. Third person in English: Verbs and Examples.
ABA English. Learn to use third person verbs in English.
