Third Person SingularEdit
Third person singular is a foundational aspect of English grammar, governing how verbs change when the subject is he, she, or it. In the present simple tense, most verbs add a small inflection—typically -s or -es—to signal that the action is being performed by a third-person singular subject. This simple rule underpins clear subject-verb agreement, a cornerstone of readable prose in English grammar and Present simple usage. Examples like "he runs," "she writes," and "it works" illustrate the pattern in everyday speech and writing, while also highlighting the exceptions that keep the system from becoming dullly mechanical. The 3rd person singular also interacts with the irregular forms of the verb be, which behave quite differently from the regular endings: "is" versus "are" and "was" versus "were" are classic counterpoints to the standard -s/-es rule.
In practice, the third person singular rule is a remarkably durable feature across dialects, though not immune to variation. American and British usage both rely on the -s/-es ending for most regular verbs, while informal speech may tolerate reductions or elisions in rapid conversation. The concept sits beside other elements of subject-verb agreement and the broader framework of Present simple tense formation, but the basic idea remains straightforward: the form of the verb signals the person and number of the subject.
Core features
Regular forms
For most regular verbs, add -s or -es to the base form in the present simple when the subject is he, she, or it. This yields forms like: - he runs - she writes - it works
The choice between -s and -es follows familiar orthographic rules: verbs ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z typically take -es (e.g., goes, washes, fixes); verbs ending in a consonant plus -y usually replace -y with -ies (e.g., carries, studies). When the root ends in a vowel plus -y, the ending is simply -s (e.g., plays, says).
The regular pattern interacts with the present simple in other ways, such as the use of auxiliary do/does in questions and negatives (e.g., Does he run? He does not run). In this sense, the 3sg form is not just a suffix on the main verb; it is part of a small, modular system that keeps sentences grammatically predictable.
Irregular forms and the verb to be
Not all verbs follow the regular rule. The verb to be is famously irregular in the present tense: - he is, she is, it is - I am, you are, we are, they are
Other common irregularities include has vs have (he has, they have) and does vs do (does he run? he does not run). These irregularities are often among the first things learners encounter when mastering 3sg usage, and they remain a standard point of reference in grammar references such as English grammar and Be (verb) resources.
Pronouns and agreement
The pronouns associated with the third person—he, she, it, they—play a central role in determining the 3sg form of the verb. The pronoun system and the verb ending are tightly coupled in traditional grammar, and readers expect agreement between a subject like he and a verb form like runs. Discussions of pronoun usage, including proposals for gender-neutral forms, intersect with the 3sg system in contemporary writing, and editors often weigh clarity, readability, and consistency when guiding usage in style guides and academic standards.
Historical development
The present-day 3sg -s/-es pattern has deep historical roots in the evolution of English from its Germanic ancestors. In earlier stages of the language, verb conjugations were more varied, and the markers for person and number were more conspicuous. Over time, the system simplified in many dialects, and the 3sg marker solidified into the familiar -s ending for most regular verbs. The special case of the verb to be stands apart in origin and form, preserving a set of irregularities that reflect centuries of grammatical change. The overall trajectory shows a movement from a more morphologically rich system to the current, largely predictable pattern that readers encounter in modern English grammar.
Regional variation has always mattered. While the core rule is widely taught and used, some dialects exhibit subtle deviations in present-tense morphology, and learners may encounter forms that differ from standard classroom examples. The ongoing conversation around pronouns—especially in formal and educational contexts—often centers on how these changes interact with traditional 3sg agreement in various dialects and registers.
Contemporary usage and debates
In modern usage, the 3sg rule remains a reliable guide for most writing and speaking. However, debates have grown around how language handles gender and inclusivity. A portion of readers and writers argue for clearer, more explicit pronoun reference and for alternative pronouns beyond he/she, which can affect how verbs and agreement are managed in sentences that reference nonbinary or gender-nonconforming subjects. In practice, many style guides now acknowledge singular they as a pragmatic solution to pronoun ambiguity, while still honoring the conventional 3sg forms of verbs for he, she, and it. See for example discussions in AP Stylebook and other contemporary editorial resources that address pronoun usage and clarity in prose.
From a traditional grammarian perspective, the priority is readability and predictability: the regular 3sg form helps readers quickly parse sentences, maintain tense and person alignment, and avoid awkward constructions. Critics of rapid pronoun reformargue that changing core grammar risks unnecessary confusion in higher-stakes contexts like law, journalism, and education. Proponents of a flexible approach emphasize clarity and empathy, arguing that language should adapt to real-world communication while preserving comprehensibility. The debate often centers on whether linguistic evolution serves communication or ideology, and whether prescriptive rules can be updated without undermining the stability that readers rely on in everyday prose.
In educational settings, instructors balance teaching the invariant pattern with exposure to irregulars and to evolving pronoun usage. Resources such as English grammar curricula, regular verb and irregular verb materials, and explanations of subject-verb agreement help learners navigate both traditional forms and contemporary adaptations. The ongoing discussion reflects a broader tension between preserving established norms and accommodating genuine communicative needs as society's vocabulary and conventions change.
Pedagogical and editorial perspectives
Teaching approach: Emphasize the reliability of the 3sg -s/-es ending for regular verbs while explicitly teaching the key irregulars and the special case of be. Use ample practice with he/she/it to reinforce agreement in real contexts, and incorporate examples where 3sg forms interact with negation and questions (Does he run? He does not run).
Editorial practice: In edited prose, ensure consistency of 3sg forms within a given voice or publication. When introducing gender-inclusive language, consider how pronoun choices affect sentence flow and verb agreement, and rely on established style guidelines to maintain clarity.
Language evolution: Account for pluralization and pronoun usage as living parts of the language. Recognize that even stable grammar can coexist with flexible usage, provided readers can still parse sentences without undue effort.