Page 82 - Just Enough English Grammar Illustrated Book

As was explained in Chapter 3, pronouns are grouped into first,
second, and third persons. Let’s take a closer look at singular
pronouns.
The singular pronouns are I, you, he, she, and it. These
pronouns stand for one person only. As the chart indicates,
no changes occur in the first person (I), nor in the second person
(you). However, the third person of singular pronouns is divided
into the pronouns he, she, and it.

The connecting verb differs from the base form
of the verb in the third-person singular only.

Third-Person Third-Person Infinitive
Singular Singular Base Form Form
Subject Pronoun Verb Form of Verb of Verb
He writes a book. write to write

sits in the
She sit to sit
lifeguard chair.

He fixes the locker. fix to fix

It opens at 9:00. open to open

She studies English. study to study

The majority of verbs follow the regular pattern of
using the base form of a verb to connect to a subject.
The third-person singular is an exception to this rule.

In the chart above, the verb forms change when they are
connected to the singular subject pronouns he, she, and it.
Recognizing and using these verb changes are important for
learning the basics of the English language.

Learn to look at the final letters of the base form of the verb
to identify what changes are necessary for the third-person
singular. Here is a basic guide:
Most verbs Base form + -s He eats.
Verbs ending in -ch, Base form + -es He fixes.
-s, -x,or -z
Verbs ending in -y Base form − -y + -ies Maria studies.
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