Third Person “s” and Other Subject-Verb Agreement Tips

“She go to school?” “He like pizza?”

Hmm... not quite! These are small mistakes, but they make a big difference in English. In this article, we’ll learn how to match the subject (who does the action) with the verb (the action) the right way.

1. What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

In English, the verb changes depending on the subject.
This is called subject-verb agreement.

• I like sushi.

• He likes sushi. ← see the “s”? That’s the third person “s”!

2. When do we use the third person “s”?

Add “s” or “es” to the verb when the subject is:

• He

• She

• It

• Or someone’s name (Tom, Momo, your friend, etc.)

Examples:

• She plays the piano.

• He watches anime.

• Momo likes coffee.

• It rains a lot here.

3. Remember - we only use "s" in a positive sentence

• Yes - He eats pizza

• No - He doesn't eats pizza / Yes - He doesn't eat pizza

• No - Does he eats pizza? / Yes - Does he eat pizza?

4. Spelling Rules for Adding “s”

Practice Time!

Fix the sentences:

• She go to school every day. → ________

• They likes ramen. → ________

• He does't likes dogs. → ________

Want to test your preposition skills and learn more about it?

We created printable worksheets with Japanese translations so you can understand better and practice more!

🔜 Coming soon — grammar bundles & worksheets will be available here!
Follow us on Instagram@kohaku_english_online for updates 💛

Disclaimer:

English has many exceptions, and sometimes native speakers break the rules too! The explanations here are meant to give you a strong foundation, but don’t worry if you come across something different in real life. With practice and exposure, it will all start to feel more natural!