Third-Person Singular Verbs: The 'S' Rule

Understanding the 'S' Rule

In English, when we use a verb with a third-person singular subject (he, she, it, or a singular noun), we often add an 's' or 'es' to the end of the verb in the present tense.

Examples:

Activity 1: Identifying Third-Person Singular Verbs

Circle the correct form of the verb for each sentence:

1. Margot (remember/remembers) the sun vividly.
2. The rain (fall/falls) heavily on Venus.
3. The classroom (buzz/buzzes) with excitement.
4. He (write/writes) a poem about the sun.
5. The sun (shine/shines) brightly for an hour.

Activity 2: Filling in the Blanks

Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verb in parentheses:

1. She ______ (wait) eagerly for the sun to appear.
2. The closet door ______ (remain) locked during the sunny hour.
3. It ______ (take) seven years for the sun to come out on Venus.
4. The teacher ______ (explain) why the sun is so rare on Venus.
5. Margot's poem ______ (describe) the beauty of sunlight.

Activity 3: Correcting Errors

Find and correct the verb errors in these sentences:

1. The story take place on Venus.
2. She remember the sun from Earth.
3. The class wait for the sun to appear.
4. It rain constantly on Venus.
5. He feel sorry for locking Margot in the closet.

Answer Key

Activity 1:

1. Margot remembers the sun vividly.
2. The rain falls heavily on Venus.
3. The classroom buzzes with excitement.
4. He writes a poem about the sun.
5. The sun shines brightly for an hour.

Activity 2:

1. She waits eagerly for the sun to appear.
2. The closet door remains locked during the sunny hour.
3. It takes seven years for the sun to come out on Venus.
4. The teacher explains why the sun is so rare on Venus.
5. Margot's poem describes the beauty of sunlight.

Activity 3:

1. The story takes place on Venus.
2. She remembers the sun from Earth.
3. The class waits for the sun to appear.
4. It rains constantly on Venus.
5. He feels sorry for locking Margot in the closet.