Present simple with he, she and it: adding -s
Short answer: With he, she, it or one name, the verb in the present simple usually takes -s: she likes, he plays. Add -es after ch, sh, s, x and o (watches, goes). Change consonant + y to -ies (cries). Remember the special verbs: have → has, do → does, go → goes.
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At a glance
| Verb ends in | Change | Example |
|---|---|---|
| most verbs | add -s | play → plays, like → likes |
| ch, sh, s, x, o | add -es | watch → watches, go → goes |
| consonant + y | y → -ies | cry → cries, study → studies |
| vowel + y | add -s | play → plays, stay → stays |
| have | has | She has a dog. |
In short
- he, she, it and one name: add -s to the action word.
- ch, sh, s, x, o: add -es. Consonant + y: -ies.
- Learn: have → has, do → does, go → goes.
What is the rule for “Present simple: he, she, it + -s”?
The rule
With he, she, it or one name, the action word usually adds -s.
How it looks
he / she / it / one name + action word + -s
What it means
The -s shows that one person or thing does it.
When to use it
Use it for habits, likes and facts.
How it works
- Find the subject. Is it he, she, it or one name? Then the verb needs -s.
- Look at the end of the verb: ch, sh, s, x and o take -es.
- Consonant + y changes to -ies.
- Remember that the -s is only on the verb, not on the noun: The girl plays (not The girls plays).
Examples of “Present simple: he, she, it + -s”
- My sister plays football.
One person: add -s. - He watches TV.
watch ends in ch: watch → watches. - The baby cries.
cry: consonant + y → cries. - She goes to school.
go → goes. - He goes to bed at nine.
go ends in o: goes. - My mom works in a bank.
One person: works. - The baby studies the toy.
study: consonant + y → studies. - It rains in July.
it takes rains.
Common mistakes with “Present simple: he, she, it + -s”
She like cats.→ She likes cats.
she needs -s.He go to school.→ He goes to school.
go becomes goes.She watchs TV.→ She watches TV.
After ch we add -es.Tom play football.→ Tom plays football.
One name: add -s to play.She haves a cat.→ She has a cat.
have becomes has, not haves.
Exceptions: watch out
- play → plays
A vowel before y: just add -s: plays, stays.
-s on the noun or -s on the verb?
The -s on a noun means more than one. The -s on a verb means one person or thing in the present simple. Do not mix them up.
| Sentence | -s on the noun | -s on the verb |
|---|---|---|
| The dogs bark. | dogs (many) | bark (no -s) |
| The dog barks. | dog (one) | barks (-s) |
See also: Present simple: I, you, we, they
Check yourself
- Fill the gap: “She ___ cats.” (like)
Show the answer
likes she needs -s.
- What is “watch” with he?
Show the answer
watches ch takes -es.
- What is “cry” with it?
Show the answer
cries consonant + y → -ies.
How to practice “Present simple: he, she, it + -s”
The interactive version adds step-by-step help, spoken instructions and a quick check. One rule card, one sound lesson and the first lesson of every stone are free to try; the rest is part of Full Access. See Full Access.
- Practice lesson: Present simple: he, she, it + -s
Questions
Why is there an -s only for he, she and it?
It is a leftover of an older English system. Today it is one of the few verb endings left, so check it every time.
Is the verb “be” the same?
No. Be has its own forms: am, is, are. Do not add -s to be.
What about modal verbs like can and must?
They never take -s: She can swim, not She cans swim.
More Sentence Building rules
- Subject + Verb: A sentence needs someone or something (the subject) and a verb: Birds fly.
- Verbs can have an object: Some verbs can have an object: the person or thing that gets the action.
- Present simple: I, you, we, they: For things we do again and again, and for likes, use the plain action word with I, you, we and they.
- Negatives: not with be and can: To say no with am, is, are or can, add not: I am not, she isn't, they aren't, it can't.
- Negatives: don't and doesn't: To say no with an action word, use don't or doesn't and then the plain action word.
- Yes/No questions and short answers: A yes/no question starts with the helper: am, is, are, do, does or can.
Used in these writing topics
Part of the 📘 Grammar tool. Level G2: Sentence Building. Đọc bằng tiếng Việt.
Written for English learners by the English for Fun team. How we write our lessons · Last updated 2026-11-05.
Reviewed by Chinh Q. Hoang, PhD, founder, English for Fun · 2026-10-30
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