Phenomenal English

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When to use 's' and when 'es' in Present Indefinite

When verbs or nouns end with ch, sh, x, o, ss or zz then we add 'es' at the end of those verbs or nouns .

Examples
  • Catch - catches
  • Bush - bushes
  • Box - boxes
  • Class - classes
  • Go - goes
  • Buzz - buzzes

When above mentioned letters do not occure at the end of words, we add 's' to make them plural.

Examples
  • Book - books
  • Cat - cats
  • Boy - boys
  • Pen - pens
  • Mobile - mobiles
  • Bag - bags

Why do we not add S or ES with pronoun I in Present Indefinite

There is a Solecism in Present Indefinite where we have to add S or ES with the first form of verb. In South Asian contries like Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh etc Present Indefinite tense is mostly taught on the basis of numbers i.e singular and plural. Typically it is taught that S or ES is added to first form of verb when subject of the sentence is singular i.e (He, she, it, singular names) and S or ES will not be added to the first form of verb when subject of the sentence is plural i.e (I, we, they, you, plural names). It is alright with students and their studies because they feel no hindrance in making sentences of this tense with above mentioned formula because every thing falls according to the established rules of grammar. They have not to face any grammatical errors by using this singular plural technique in their writings. But conceptually students are not up to the mark when they are asked why S or ES is not added to the verb when pronoun I is singular.<>

For example:   'I goes'.

It is wrong depite I is singular. Then they are unable to answer this why.

Answer and Explanation

Actually Present Indefinite tense must be taught on the basis of persons instead of numbers. Students should be taught that S or ES is added to the first form of verb when subject of the sentence is third person singular i.e (He, she, it, one, singular names) and S or ES will not be added to first form of verb if subject of the sentence is 1st person, 2nd person or 3rd person plural i.e (I, we, they, you, plural names).

  • He goes to the park. (Here he is third person singular that is why 'es' is added to verb go.)
  • She writes a letter. (Here she is third person singular that is why 's' is added to verb write.)
  • It rains heavily during rainy season. (Here it is third person singular that is why 's' is added to verb rain.)
  • Marry teaches English.(Here Marry is third person singular name that is why 'es' is added to verb teach.)
What are Persons

There are three persons in every language and so has English.

  • 1st Person:       I, We
  • 2nd Person:     You
  • 3rd Person:     He, She, It, They,one, Singular and plural names

The third person includes pronouns like he, she, it, one and all singular nouns i.e inanimate things, people, concepts, animal etc. This 'S' added to the third person singular of simple present is used only in English. It is not used in French, German, Italian or other languages and it is actually called 'The third person singular S'.

To see the list of complete Tenses
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