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2.2. The third person

 

Although the morphological suffix for third person singular verbs in the simple present tense is -s or -es, the suffix is pronounced differently depending on the sound of the last syllable of the verb.

If the last syllable of the verb is a voiceless sound, then the suffix is pronounced as an unvoiced s /s/. Voiceless sounds are produced by not vibrating the larynx, or voice box, in the throat. The voiceless, or unvoiced, sounds in English are:

/p, t, k, f, θ /

For example:

  • breaks /breɪks/
  • coughs /kɒfs/
  • drinks /drɪŋks/
  • hopes /həʊps/
  • sits /sɪts/

If the last syllable of the verb is a voiced sound (except for those in the next group), then the suffix is pronounced as a voiced z [z]. Voiced sounds are produced by vibrating the larynx, or voice box, in the throat. The voiced sounds in English are:

/l, b,d,v,ð, n, m,ŋ /+ all the vowels

For example:

  • calls [kɔ:lz]
  • destroys [distrɔɪz]
  • gives [gɪvz]
  • moans [məʊnz]
  • sobs [sɒbz]
  • tries [traiz]

If the last syllable of the verb sounds like:

/s, z, ʃ , ʒ, tʃ , dʒ /

Then the suffix is pronounced /iz/. For example:

  • faces /'feɪsɪz/
  • misses /'mɪsɪz/
  • dozes /'dəʊzɪz/
  • hushes /'hʌʃɪz/
  • catches /'kætʃɪz/
  • nudges /'nʌdʒɪz/

The -es is pronounced as a separate syllable: /ɪz/. Therefore, if a verb ends in one of these sounds, the present tense will have one more syllable than the simple form.

Examples:

  • fix (1 syllable)-->fixes (2 syllables)
  • kiss (1 syllable)-->kisses (2 syllables)
  • wash (1 syllable)-->washes (2 syllables)
  • watch (1 syllable)-->watches (2 syllables)
  • damage (2 syllables)-->damages (3 syllables)
  • memorize (3 syllables)-->memorizes (4 syllables)
  • exercise (3 syllables)-->exercises (4 syllables)

Source: http://www.brighthubeducation.com/esl-lesson-plans/39426-spelling-and-pronuciation-rules-for-simple-present-tense/

Moving on

Here you have some practice::

 

The spelling rules for third person singular when talking about present simple are:

  • The ending is -es when the word ends in -s/-ss/-sh/-ch/-x/-o. Eg: misses, goes, teaches, washes, fixes.
  • Verbs ending in Consonant+y change to ie before the ending -s. Eg: studies, hurries.
  • Verbs ending in -Vowel + y do not change. Just add -s. Eg: plays, enjoys, buys.
  • Note the following: dye (change the colour of something) > dyes; canoe > canoes ; singe (= burn slightly) > singes

 

Look at the video about the pronunciation of third person singular:

Ilearnthisway. Spelling 3rd Person Singular Verbs (Licencia estándar de YouTube)

Do it yourself

Here's a text that contains both present simple and present continuous. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verb.

Every morning, my mother   me up at about seven. She usually  cereal or toasts for breakfast. She rarely cherry muffins. They are my favourite! I usually my teeth and have a quick shower before having breakfast.

Then, my mother me to school in her car. She hardly ever a taxi to go to school.

Sometimes, my father is not at home for some days. He to the university in Scotland or London. He Chemistry there. My sister and I always my dad, and my mom him, too. When he back, he always some presents for us! We love that!!!

Source: http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=8320

 

 

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