Third person singular -s

Definition

The third person singular -s is a grammatical marker used in English to indicate that a verb is being conjugated for a subject that is he, she, it, or any singular noun. This inflectional morphology is crucial for maintaining subject-verb agreement in sentences, as it signals that the action of the verb is being performed by a singular entity. Understanding this suffix helps clarify how verbs change based on the subject's number and person.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The -s suffix is only added to the base form of the verb when the subject is in third person singular form.
2. The third person singular -s typically appears in the present simple tense, such as in sentences like 'He runs' or 'She talks.'
3. Certain spelling rules apply when adding -s, such as changing 'y' to 'i' before adding -es if the verb ends with a consonant followed by 'y'.
4. The third person singular -s is often omitted in informal speech and writing, but it remains essential in formal contexts for clarity.
5. In questions and negatives, auxiliary verbs like 'does' are used instead of adding -s directly to the main verb, as in 'Does he run?'

Review Questions

• How does the third person singular -s contribute to subject-verb agreement in English sentences?
  • The third person singular -s ensures that the verb aligns with its singular subject, reinforcing subject-verb agreement. When we say 'She runs,' the '-s' shows that the action is linked to a single person. Without this marker, sentences may become ambiguous or grammatically incorrect, making it essential for clear communication.
• Discuss the spelling changes that occur when forming the third person singular -s for verbs ending with certain letters.
  • When forming the third person singular -s for verbs ending in a consonant followed by 'y', the 'y' changes to 'i' before adding '-es', resulting in forms like 'carries' instead of 'carrys'. Additionally, for verbs ending in sibilant sounds like 'sh,' 'ch,' and 'x,' '-es' is added rather than just '-s', as seen in 'washes' or 'teaches.' These spelling rules help maintain proper pronunciation and grammar.
• Evaluate how omitting the third person singular -s affects both informal and formal communication.
  • Omitting the third person singular -s can lead to grammatical inaccuracies that impact the clarity of communication. In informal settings, this may be overlooked without significant consequences; however, in formal writing or speaking contexts, such omissions can diminish credibility and professionalism. Understanding and applying the correct use of the third person singular -s becomes crucial for effective communication across different contexts.

Related terms

Subject-Verb Agreement: A grammatical rule that requires the subject and verb in a sentence to match in number and person.

Inflection: A morphological change in a word that indicates grammatical features such as tense, mood, voice, aspect, person, number, gender, and case.

Regular Verbs: Verbs that form their past tense and past participle by adding -ed to the base form.