2.

Spelling rules for adding s in the third person singular

Some verbs change their spelling when s is added in the third person singular.

a. Verbs ending in y
The English letters a, e, i, o and u are generally referred to as vowels. The other English
letters are generally referred to as consonants.

When a verb ends in y immediately preceded by a consonant, the y is changed to ie before

the ending s is added. In each of the following examples, the consonant immediately
preceding the final y is underlined.

Bare Infinitive Third Person Singular

study studies
fly flies
carry carries

However, when a verb ends in y immediately preceded by a vowel, the y is not changed
before the ending s is added. In each of the following examples, the vowel immediately
preceding the final y is underlined.

Bare Infinitive Third Person Singular

say says
enjoy enjoys
buy buys

See Exercise 3.

b. Verbs ending in o
When a verb ends in o, the letter e is added before the s ending. For example:

Bare Infinitive Third Person Singular

do does
echo echoes
go goes

c. Verbs ending in ch, s, sh, x or z

When a verb ends in a sibilant sound such as ch, s, sh, x or z, the letter e is added before
the s ending. For example:

Bare Infinitive Third Person Singular

pass passes
push pushes
watch watches
fix fixes
buzz buzzes