There has been an error in the display of this page. There has been an error in the display of the nav on this page.
Verb FormsVerb TenseNouns and ArticlesSubject Verb AgreementWord FormsSentence StructureSentence CombiningEditing Exercises
Grammar Tutorials
Verb Forms Back to Exercise Menu

Introduction to Exercise 2 - Fixing verbs that are missing a final -s
Grammar Explanation

•  In the present tense, add an –s to the base form of the verb if the subject is or can be replaced by he, she, or it.
  • Example: The government collects taxes; it uses the tax revenue to pay its expenses.
•  Also add an –s to the base form of the verb if the subject is an indefinite pronoun, such as everybody, everyone, or no one.
  • Example: Everybody wants to have health and happiness.
•  Use does not/doesn’t + the base form of the verb if the subject is or can be replaced by he, she, or it (or is an indefinite pronoun).
  • Incorrect: He don’t agree with the decision.
  • Corrected: He doesn’t agree with the decision.
•  Do not add an –s to the verb that follows a modal verb (e.g., can, could, should, must) or to the modal verb itself.
  • Incorrect: The president can vetoes bills that are passed by Congress.
  • Corrected: The president can veto bills that are passed by Congress.
PDF Download Grammar Explanation (PDF)
What You Will Do

The following passages contain mistakes with a missing or incorrectly used final –s on a verb. Click on the verb that contains the mistake. When you click, a box will appear. Type the correct form of the verb in this box and then click the INSERT button. When you have finished making all the corrections, click DONE to compare WHAT YOU WROTE with WHAT WE WROTE.
continue to exercise
There has been an error in the display of this page.