Present simple spelling: watches, studies and goes

The idea

Add -s to most verbs. Add -es after -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, -z and in go and do. After a consonant plus -y, change y to ies; after a vowel, add -s. Have becomes has.

Examples

• Mira reads on the train.
• The baker watches the oven.
• My cousin studies at the library.
• A child plays near the fountain.
• Our neighbor goes to work by bike.
• The dog does a trick for a treat.
• The gardener has a small greenhouse.

Watch out

Do not write studys: the letter before y is a consonant. But play becomes plays.

Try it yourself

1. Complete the sentence with the correct form. Lena ___ the dishes after dinner. (wash)

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   washes

   washes fits because wash ends in sh.

2. Complete the sentence with the correct form. The baby ___ when hungry. (cry)

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   cries

   cries replaces the final y after a consonant.

3. Complete the sentence with the correct form. A musician ___ here on Fridays. (play)

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   plays

   plays keeps the y after a vowel.

4. Complete the sentence with the correct form. My uncle ___ home at six. (go)

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   goes

   goes is the form used with one uncle.

Use it today

Complete each sentence with the present simple form of the verb in brackets.