Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
In the Present Simple, always add an -s or -es to the verb when the subject is He, She, or It.
- Add -s to most verbs: He walks, She plays, It works.
- Add -es to verbs ending in -ch, -sh, -s, -x, or -z: She watches, He fixes.
- Change -y to -ies if there is a consonant before it: It flies, She studies.
Overview
s 可是英语里最“过劳”的角色了。感觉它无处不在。但在一般现在时（Present Simple）里，它有一份非常具体、非常专属的工作。这份工作通常被称为“第三人称单数规则”。只有当你谈论别人——单个的人或事物时，它才适用。把它想象成一种 VIP 税。你的故事里每出现一个 he、she 或 it，你就得付一个 s。如果你忘了，你听起来可能就像老式科幻电影里的机器人。“He like pizza.” 虽然也能听懂，但少了那种母语者的地道感。在社交媒体的世界里，你最爱的网红每天都 posts（发帖）。他们不只是 post。算法 knows（知道）你喜欢什么。它不只是 know。这条规则是基础英语交流的脊梁。它是听起来像菜鸟还是听起来像掌控全场的大佬之间的区别。为什么英语要这样？老实说，这只是历史遗留的怪癖。古英语的词尾变化要多得多。我们扔掉了大部分，但这一个就像那个派对结束后死赖着不走的客人一样留了下来。不过别担心。一旦你掌握了节奏，它就会变成第二天性。这就像每次 he、she 和 it 出现在句子里时，你给它们的一个小小的口头击掌。只要记住：一个人，一个 s。How This Grammar Works
I、you、we 和 they。这帮人很随和。他们使用动词的原形。你会说 “I play games” 或者 “They order food”。没有多余的字母，没有抓马。然后是第二个俱乐部：“单数专家组”（Singular Specialists）。这就是 he、she 和 it 这一组。这个俱乐部很难伺候。他们要求在每个动词的末尾加一个额外的 s。想象一下 she 是个 TikTok 创作者。她不只是 dance（跳舞）；她是 dances。如果 he 是个游戏玩家，他不只是 stream（直播）；他是 streams。甚至你的手机（一个 it）不只是 work（工作/运作）；它是 works。这种变化只发生在现在时的肯定句中。这就像他们穿的一件特殊制服。不过，这件制服会根据动词的结尾稍微变一下。大多数动词只需要一个简单的 s。其他的需要 es 来让发音更顺口。想象一下试着说 watchs。听起来像你在打喷嚏！所以我们加个元音来辅助：watches。这全是为了语言的流畅度。Conjugation Table
| 形式 | 例子 | 翻译 |
|---|---|---|
| I | I work |
Yo trabajo / Ich arbeite |
| You | You work |
Tú trabajas / Du arbeitest |
| He/She/It | He works |
Él trabaja / Er arbeitet |
| We | We work |
Nosotros trabajamos / Wir arbeiten |
| They | They work |
Ellos trabajan / Sie arbeiten |
Formation Pattern
s 并不总是简单地把它拍在词尾就行了。根据动词的“个性”（拼写），你有四条主要路径可走。
-s。这适用于大约 90% 的动词。
like → likes (He likes your photo.)
eat → eats (She eats sushi.)
play → plays (It plays music.)
-s、-ss、-sh、-ch、-x、-z）或者字母 -o 结尾，加 -es。这让单词更容易读。
watch → watches (She watches Netflix.)
finish → finishes (He finishes his homework.)
go → goes (The bus goes to the city.)
fix → fixes (He fixes the Wi-Fi.)
y 结尾，y 会嫉妒并离开。它被 ies 取代。
study → studies (She studies for the exam.)
try → tries (He tries a new filter.)
fly → flies (The bird flies away.)
have → has (She has a new iPhone.)
do → does (He does his best.)
be → is (It is cold.)
Memory Trick
想想 VIP S-通行证。He、She 和 It 是宾客名单上唯一能携带 S 通行证的人。其他人都得把他们的 S 留在门口。
When To Use It
- 日常习惯:
He
wakesup at 7 AM.She
checksher emails immediately. - 永恒事实:
The sun
risesin the east.Water
boilsat 100 degrees. - 时间表:
The movie
startsat 8 PM.The train
leavesin ten minutes. - 一般状态:
She
loveschocolate.It
seemslike a good idea.
Politeness Levels
在英语中，我们不改变动词词尾来表示更正式。He speaks 既可以用于国王也可以用于室友。但是，有一个现代的转变！当你不知道某人的性别，或者你想更具包容性时，你可能会使用单数的 they。
- 非正式/现代
Someone left their bag. They need it. (注意：这里没有 s！They 总是遵循“佛系俱乐部”的规则，即使它指的是一个人)。
- 正式/标准
The candidate writes a cover letter.
Common Mistakes
- 幽灵 S: 在不属于它的地方加
s。“Ilikesit.” (❌ 不！I属于佛系俱乐部)。 - 否定陷阱: 在否定句里加
s。“He doesn'tlikesit.” (❌ 不对！s已经藏在doesn't里面了。使用动词原形：“He doesn'tlikeit.”) - 提问滑铁卢:
Does she
(❌ 不！同样地，plays?does已经有es了。用Does she
)play? - 拼写翻车: 写成
plaies而不是plays。记住：元音 +y只需要加一个s。别把它想复杂了！
Contrast With Similar Patterns
- 名词: 一个
dog，两个dogs（加s变成复数）。 - 动词: I
run，heruns（加s变成单数！）。
s（比如 The boys），动词通常没有（run）。如果主语没有 s（比如 The boy），动词就需要一个（runs）。Quick FAQ
everyone 需要加 s 吗？
是的！像 everyone、someone 和 nobody 这样的词在英语语法中是单数。“Everyone loves a bargain.”
那像 can 或 must 这样的情态动词呢？
它们是终极叛逆者。它们从不加 s。“She can swim”，不是 “She cans swim”。
是 has 还是 haves？
绝对是 has。Haves 不是个词（除非你在谈论“有产者和无产者（the haves and the have-nots）”，但那是另一回事了！）。
Real Conversations
场景 1：谈论室友
Alex
Sam
Heworkslate on Tuesdays. He usuallygetshome around 9.
场景 2：讨论一个新 App
用户 A:
This app crashes all the time.
用户 B:
Really? Mineworksperfectly. Maybe itneedsan update.
Progressive Practice
简单模式: 看动词 eat。把它变成 he 的形式。（答案：eats）。
中等模式: 看看你最好的朋友。写一件他们每天做的事。“My friend drinks coffee.”
困难模式: 修改这句话：“She don't go to the gym because she prefer to sleep.”
（答案：“She doesn't go to the gym because she prefers to sleep.”）
2. Negative Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Usage |
|---|---|---|
|
He does not
|
He doesn't
|
Very common
|
|
She does not
|
She doesn't
|
Very common
|
|
It does not
|
It doesn't
|
Very common
|
Present Simple Conjugation of 'To Work'
| Subject | Verb Form | Rule Applied |
|---|---|---|
|
I
|
work
|
Base form
|
|
You
|
work
|
Base form
|
|
He
|
works
|
Add -s
|
|
She
|
works
|
Add -s
|
|
It
|
works
|
Add -s
|
|
We
|
work
|
Base form
|
|
They
|
work
|
Base form
|
Meanings
The rule used to conjugate verbs in the present simple tense when the subject is a third-person singular pronoun or a singular noun.
Habits and Routines
Used to describe things that happen regularly or as a schedule.
“He drinks coffee every morning.”
“She goes to the gym on Tuesdays.”
General Truths
Used for facts that are always true.
“The sun rises in the east.”
“Water freezes at zero degrees.”
Permanent States
Used for things that stay the same for a long time.
“My brother lives in London.”
“She works for a big tech company.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subject + Verb(-s/es)
|
He speaks English.
|
|
Negative
|
Subject + doesn't + Verb (base)
|
She doesn't speak French.
|
|
Question
|
Does + Subject + Verb (base)?
|
Does it work?
|
|
Short Answer (+)
|
Yes, Subject + does
|
Yes, he does.
|
|
Short Answer (-)
|
No, Subject + doesn't
|
No, she doesn't.
|
|
Wh- Question
|
Wh- + does + Subject + Verb?
|
Where does he live?
|
正式程度
He serves as the Chief Executive Officer. (Professional)
He works as a manager. (Professional)
He's a boss. (Professional)
He runs the show. (Professional)
The 'S' Club
Pronouns
- He He sings
- She She sings
- It It sings
Nouns
- John John sings
- The bird The bird sings
Verb vs. Noun -s
Spelling Decision Tree
Does it end in -ch, -sh, -s, -x?
Does it end in Consonant + Y?
Irregular Third Person
Common Irregulars
- • Has (from Have)
- • Goes (from Go)
- • Does (from Do)
按水平分级的例句
He plays football.
Él juega al fútbol.
She drinks milk.
Ella bebe leche.
It rains a lot.
Llueve mucho.
My dad cooks dinner.
Mi papá cocina la cena.
She doesn't like apples.
A ella no le gustan las manzanas.
Does he work here?
¿Él trabaja aquí?
The bus stops near my house.
El autobús para cerca de mi casa.
He studies English every day.
Él estudia inglés todos los días.
The company provides free lunch.
La empresa proporciona almuerzo gratis.
He always carries a heavy bag.
Él siempre lleva una bolsa pesada.
She rarely misses a deadline.
Ella rara vez pierde una fecha límite.
It seems like a good idea.
Parece una buena idea.
The theory suggests that time is relative.
La teoría sugiere que el tiempo es relativo.
He maintains his innocence despite the evidence.
Él mantiene su inocencia a pesar de las pruebas.
The government denies any involvement.
El gobierno niega cualquier implicación.
She possesses a unique talent for music.
Ella posee un talento único para la música.
The author argues that society is changing.
El autor sostiene que la sociedad está cambiando.
Each of the participants receives a certificate.
Cada uno de los participantes recibe un certificado.
The success of the project depends on teamwork.
El éxito del proyecto depende del trabajo en equipo.
He seldom expresses his true feelings.
Él rara vez expresa sus verdaderos sentimientos.
One finds that the data contradicts the hypothesis.
Uno encuentra que los datos contradicen la hipótesis.
The law stipulates that all citizens must pay taxes.
La ley estipula que todos los ciudadanos deben pagar impuestos.
The protagonist's journey symbolizes human growth.
El viaje del protagonista simboliza el crecimiento humano.
The economy fluctuates based on global trends.
La economía fluctúa según las tendencias globales.
容易混淆
Both use an 's', but for opposite reasons. Nouns use 's' to show there are many; verbs use 's' to show there is only one subject.
Learners often use 'is' with the -s verb, which is incorrect.
Modal verbs are special and NEVER take an -s, even for He/She/It.
常见错误
He play football.
He plays football.
She haves a dog.
She has a dog.
It rain today.
It rains today.
My friend like pizza.
My friend likes pizza.
He doesn't likes pizza.
He doesn't like pizza.
Does she goes to school?
Does she go to school?
He studys hard.
He studies hard.
The people likes the movie.
The people like the movie.
Everyone have a dream.
Everyone has a dream.
The news are bad.
The news is bad.
The data shows that...
The data show that...
句型
He ___ (verb) every day.
She doesn't ___ (verb) because ___.
Does he ___ (verb) at ___ (time)?
It ___ (verb) like a ___ (noun).
Real World Usage
He says he's coming at 8.
My current boss relies on my reports.
She looks so cute in this photo!
My friend wants the burger, please.
The flight departs from Gate 4.
The liquid reacts with the metal.
The 'Does' Rule
Don't over-S
Listen for the Buzz
Names count too
Smart Tips
Think of 'doesn't' as a thief. It steals the 's' from the verb and keeps it for itself!
Look at the letter BEFORE the 'y'. If it's a, e, i, o, u, just add 's'. If not, change it to 'ies'.
In American English, treat the group as 'It' (singular). In British English, you can often use either singular or plural.
Always use the -s. These words feel plural but they are grammatically singular.
发音
The /s/ sound
Use /s/ after voiceless sounds like p, t, k, f.
The /z/ sound
Use /z/ after voiced sounds like b, d, g, v, l, m, n, r and vowels.
The /ɪz/ sound
Use /ɪz/ after hissing sounds (s, z, sh, ch, x). This adds an extra syllable.
Declarative Stress
He WORKS in a BANK.
Standard emphasis on the verb and the object.
记住它
记忆技巧
He, She, It, the 'S' must fit!
视觉联想
Imagine a snake (shaped like an S) following a boy, a girl, and a robot wherever they go. The snake is their pet that only likes them, not 'I' or 'You'.
Rhyme
He, She, It, and singular nouns, Wear the 'S' like golden crowns.
Story
The letter 'S' is a very shy letter. It is too scared to talk to 'I', 'You', 'We', or 'They'. But it feels very safe with 'He', 'She', and 'It'. Whenever they do an action, 'S' jumps onto the end of the word to join the fun.
Word Web
挑战
Look around the room. Find one person or one object. Say three things they do using the -s rule. (e.g., 'The clock ticks. My brother sleeps. The fan turns.')
文化笔记
The -s is strictly required in formal writing and professional speech. Omitting it can be seen as a sign of low education or non-native status.
In AAVE, the third-person -s is often omitted. This is a systematic grammatical feature of the dialect, not a 'mistake' within that context.
In international business where neither speaker is native, the -s is often dropped without loss of meaning. However, for exams like IELTS/TOEFL, it is mandatory.
The -s ending comes from the Northumbrian dialect of Old English, where it was -es.
对话开场白
What does your best friend do for fun?
Tell me about your pet's daily routine.
How does your favorite celebrity spend their time?
Describe how a machine in your house works.
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
He ___ (work) in an office.
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
My brother study Spanish on Mondays.
watch / he / TV / every / night
She ___ to the park.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
We add -s to the verb when the subject is 'You'.
A: Does your sister live here? B: No, she ___ in London.
Score: /8
练习题
8 exercisesHe ___ (work) in an office.
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
My brother study Spanish on Mondays.
watch / he / TV / every / night
She ___ to the park.
1. I / 2. She / 3. They
We add -s to the verb when the subject is 'You'.
A: Does your sister live here? B: No, she ___ in London.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesHe ___ to the gym at 6 PM.
The plane fly high in the sky.
every / He / Netflix / night / watches
Ella tiene un gato.
My phone ___ a lot of battery.
Match the following:
The sun ___ (shine) brightly today.
Does he likes pizza?
always / She / her / finishes / work
He ___ to learn.
Score: /10
常见问题 (8)
The verb `have` is irregular. Over hundreds of years, the 'v' sound was dropped in the third person to make it easier to say. So, `has` is just a shorter, irregular version of `haves`.
No! Modal verbs like `can`, `will`, `should`, and `must` never take an -s. You say `He can swim`, not `He cans swim`.
Uncountable nouns like `water`, `money`, or `sugar` are treated as `It`. So you add the -s: `The water boils at 100 degrees.`
It is `flies`. Because `fly` ends in a consonant (l) + y, you must change the `y` to `i` and add `es`.
In some dialects or very casual speech, people might drop the -s. However, in standard English and all formal situations, it is considered a mistake.
No. In the past tense, the verb form is usually the same for all people (e.g., `I worked`, `He worked`). This rule is only for the Present Simple.
If you use 'singular they' (when you don't know the gender or someone prefers it), you do NOT add the -s. You say `They work here`, even if you mean one person.
Practice 'shadowing' native speakers. When you hear a 'He' or 'She', listen for that 's' sound at the end of the next word. It takes time to become a habit!
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Conjugación de la tercera persona (-a, -e)
English only has one special ending (-s), while Spanish has six.
Troisième personne du singulier
The English -s is always pronounced, whereas French endings are often silent.
Dritte Person Singular (-t)
German also changes the verb for 'you' and 'we', which English doesn't do.
None
Japanese speakers must learn to add a sound that doesn't exist in their grammar logic.
Al-mudaari' (Present tense prefixes)
Arabic distinguishes between 'he' and 'she' in the verb form, while English uses -s for both.
None
English grammar requires a physical change to the word, which is a new concept for Chinese speakers.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
Continue With
相关视频
05:05 Is it really that bad to eat cookie dough? - Emma Bryce
07:36 Why Doesn’t the Yucatán Have Rivers?
06:12 What is vaginal discharge, and what does it say about your health? - Elizabeth Micks
Master All 4 Present Tenses in 10 Min | English Grammar Lesson | Best Way To Learn English Tenses
Learn English | Let's Talk - Free English Lessons
ALL English verb tenses in 10 minutes!
Espresso English
Related Grammar Rules
现在完成时：美式 vs 英式 (I've done vs I did)
Overview 你有没有觉得你的英语{教科书|jiàokēshū}在骗你？你在课上学了一个规则，然后听到一个加州{博主|bózhǔ}完全不理那...
Phrasal Verbs: An Introduction (Turn On, Give Up, Look After)
## Phrasal Verbs: An Introduction A **phrasal verb** = verb + particle (up, on, off, out, in, away...) The combination...
人生经历：现在完成时与 Ever 和 Never
你有没有过明明翘了健身课，结果两小时后刷着健身 TikTok 却倍感负罪？或者你可能永远无法理解为什么有人喜欢吃菠萝披萨，哪怕你...
将来进行时 (will be -ing)
### Overview 在英语学习的旅程中，当你达到 B2 这个阶段，你已经不再满足于仅仅表达“我要做什么”，而是开始追求表达的**精确度...
英语现在完成时：连接过去与现在（基本构成）
Overview 你{有没有|yǒuméiyǒu}过走进一个{房间|fángjiān}，却{完全|wánquán}忘了自己进去是要干嘛？这种事我们都{经历|jīnglì}...
