Understanding how to correctly add ‑s or ‑es in the present simple tense is essential for English learners. Below is a detailed guide on the rules for adding ‑s/‑es and pronunciation tips for different cases.
1. Rules for Adding ‑s / ‑es in the Present Simple
When the subject is third person singular (he, she, it) or refers to an uncountable noun, you must add ‑s or ‑es to the verb. The rule depends on the final sound of the verb:
Final Letter of Verb | Ending Rule | Examples |
|---|---|---|
o, s, z, ch, x, sh, ss | add ‑es | go → goes, miss → misses |
consonant + y | change y → i + ‑es | study → studies, cry → cries |
vowel + y | add ‑s | play → plays, buy → buys |
have (irregular) | has | have → has |
all other verbs | add ‑s | cook → cooks, sing → sings |
2. Pronunciation of the “‑s” / “‑es” Endings
The pronunciation of the ending depends on the final sound of the verb root. It is determined by International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) classification:
/s/: After voiceless consonants like /f/, /t/, /k/, /p/, /θ/, /ð/
laughs /lɑːfs/, sits /sɪts/, skips /skɪps/
/ɪz/: After sibilant sounds /s/, /z/, /ʃ/, /tʃ/, /ʒ/, /dʒ/ (usually spelled -ce, -ci, -x, -s, -sh, -ch, -ge)
wishes /ˈwɪʃɪz/, watches /ˈwɒtʃɪz/, changes /ˈtʃeɪndʒɪz/
/z/: After vowel sounds or voiced consonants
loves /lʌvz/, holds /həʊldz/, smells /smelz/
So correct pronunciation of verb endings depends on the verb’s sound rather than spelling.
3. Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Choose ‑s or ‑es
Emily work ( ) in Paris
Angela love ( ) playing golf
The human body contain ( ) 206 bones
It snow ( ) a lot in Canada in winter
Thomas study ( ) 2 hours every day
The two‑year‑old child brush ( ) himself at 6 o’clock
Answers
works
loves
contains
snows
studies
brushes
Exercise 2: Determine the correct pronunciation (/z/, /s/, or /ɪz/)
Coughs
Develops
Equals
Kisses
Watches
Answers
coughs → /z/
develops → /s/
equals → /z/
kisses → /s/
watches → /ɪz/
4. Tips to Remember the Rules Easily
Write down rules in notes or a mind map and include example sentences.
Create sentences using one example verb for each rule to reinforce memory.
Practice regularly with quizzes, fill-in exercises, and writing.
Review your mistakes: highlight verbs you often get wrong and revisit the rules.
Summary
Knowing when to add ‑s or ‑es in the present simple is straightforward when you follow the pronunciation-based rule chart. Practice consistently and pay attention to verb sounds. These small details can make a big difference in accuracy, especially on exams like IELTS.