A question about simple present verbs

Status
Not open for further replies.

frankjohnli

Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2009
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
China
Current Location
Canada
Hello, I'm always wondered why in simple present verb when reffering to third person there is an "s" or "es"

Example:
I take a shower everyday.
She take(s) a shower everyday.
 

sarat_106

Key Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2008
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
Oriya
Home Country
India
Current Location
India
Hello, I'm always wondered why in simple present verb when reffering to third person there is an "s" or "es"

Example:
I take a shower everyday.
She take(s) a shower everyday.

Because, that is the grammatical rule. A present-tense verb that describes the action of a subject that is a singular noun (or third person singular pronoun) usually ends in -s or es.
 

Raymott

VIP Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2008
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
English
Home Country
Australia
Current Location
Australia
Hello, I'm always wondered why in simple present verb when reffering to third person there is an "s" or "es"

Example:
I take a shower everyday.
She take(s) a shower everyday.
This is an inflection. English has lost most of the inflections it used to have, but it has retained this one.
Other inflections are 's' for plurals. 's for possessive, etc.

If you want to know why this particular inflection has not died out, you'd have to read up on the history of English - and even then you might not find out.
 

frankjohnli

Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2009
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
China
Current Location
Canada
Thanks for the answers everyone. If anyone knows actually why this is please post it here.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top