My mother lets us eat

[suniljain]

My mother lets us eat whatever we like.

Why have we not used "likes" instead of "like"? My understanding is that we use "s" or "es" with verbs in present tense.

 

[Matthew Wai]

Because 'we' is a first person pronoun.
'Likes' should be used if the subject is a singular third person pronoun such as 'he' and 'she'.

See http://www.grammar.cl/Present/Verbs_Third_Person.htm

 

[Tdol]

If your understanding comes from a grammar book, then take great care with it before accepting what it says. I have seen many mistakes in grammars, but few as basic as this- we do not add -s to verbs after we.

 

[TheParser]

My understanding is that ....

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Please remember, Suniljain:

1. We use "s" with verbs in the present tense if we are referring to the third person (she, he, it) in an affirmative sentence.

a. Suniljain likes English.

2. We do NOT use it in questions: Does Suniljain like English?

3. We do NOT use it in the negative: Suniljain does not speak the language that is spoken on Jupiter.

3. We do NOT use it after a modal: Suniljain can speak many languages.

 

[suniljain]

If your understanding comes from a grammar book, then take great care with it before accepting what it says. I have seen many mistakes in grammars, but few as basic as this- we do not add -s to verbs after we.

Thanks. I realized the mistake after my posting.

 

[Tdol]

I realized the mistake after my posting.

That's normally the time when I realize mine. ;-)

 

[Rover_KE]

Thank goodness for the Edit Post feature.

Have you tried that yet, suniljain?

 

[suniljain]

Nope

 

[Rover_KE]

I'll tell you what: try it now to change 'Nope' to 'Yay — it works!'

 

[suniljain]

Thank you

 

[Rover_KE]

Thank you.

You should know by now that clicking on 'Thank' obviates the need for a new post just to say 'Thank you'.

Click on Edit Post, make your corrections and click Save.