47 Should You Use –s (or –es) for a Present-Tense Verb?

Kristin Shelby

 

Is the verb’s subject he, she, it, or one? If yes, Time to use –s! If no, Is the subject a singular noun? If yes, Time to use –s! If no, Is the subject a singular indefinite pronoun? If yes, Time to use –s! If no, Stick with the base form of the verb.

Examples

Verb’s subject is he, she, it, or one: He loves going to watch musical theater.

Verb’s subject is a singular noun: A parent wants the best for their child.

Verb’s subject a singular indefinite pronoun: Everybody swims in the lake during the summer.

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Should You Use –s (or –es) for a Present-Tense Verb? Copyright © 2021 by Kristin Shelby is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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