Present Simple — Adding -s With He, She, It
Quick Answer
For he, she, and it, you must add -s to the end of the verb. He works, she speaks, it rains.
Example: She works in a hospital. (The verb “work” gets an extra -s.)
POSITIVE +S FORM in Action — See the Pattern
Read these three sentences. Look at how it works:
- He lives in Berlin. (Verb “live” + s = “lives”.)
- She drinks coffee every morning. (Verb “drink” + s = “drinks”.)
- It rains a lot in winter. (Verb “rain” + s = “rains”.)
When to Use POSITIVE +S FORM
The rule is short: when the subject is he, she, or it, add -s to the verb. This is the only change in the whole present simple. It is small, but you must do it every time.
- He: “He plays football.”
- She: “She speaks three languages.”
- It: “It works very well.”
- Names of one person: “Maria studies medicine.”
Easy way to remember: He, she, it = +s. Three subjects, one rule. Picture them holding the verb with one extra letter glued to the end.
The Rule in One Line: With he, she, it: add -s to the verb.
Real-Life Examples With POSITIVE +S FORM
Here are examples you might say or hear in everyday life:
- He works in a bank. (Verb “work” + s.)
- She speaks French and German. (Verb “speak” + s.)
- My brother plays the guitar. (“My brother” = he.)
- The shop opens at nine. (“The shop” = it.)
- Maria lives in Italy. (A name like “Maria” = she.)
You are doing great. Now let’s look at the mistakes many learners make.
Three Mistakes to Avoid With POSITIVE +S FORM
The biggest mistake is forgetting the -s. It is small, easy to drop, and the sentence still makes sense without it — but it is wrong. Even people who have studied English for years forget this -s sometimes.
Forgetting -s
✗ He work in a hospital.
✓ He works in a hospital.
Adding -s when you should not
✗ I works in a hospital.
✓ I work in a hospital.
Using are instead of +s
✗ She are work in a school.
✓ She works in a school.
How to remember: He / She / It → +s on the end. Same three subjects, same one letter. Always.
Common +s sentences: he works, she speaks, it rains, he lives, she likes.
Test Yourself: POSITIVE +S FORM
Choose the correct answer for each sentence. Click Check to see if you are right.
1. He _______ in a bakery.
2. She _______ tea every morning.
3. It _______ a lot in autumn.
4. My brother _______ in London.
5. Sara _______ three languages.
Keep Going — You Are Building Something
You just learned the most-forgotten letter in English: the present-simple -s. Once it becomes a habit, your sentences will sound right to every native speaker who hears them.
But what about when something is not true? “I work” is positive. To say the opposite — “I do not work on Sundays” — you need a small word that flips the meaning. The word is short, only two letters, but it has a partner you must not mix it up with.
Next lesson: Present Simple — Negative With DON’T
My name is Khamis Maiouf. I am the creator of the English Teacher Site, dedicated to providing valuable resources and insights for students around the world. With a passion for education and a commitment to helping students enhance their skills, I aim to make English teaching more effective and enjoyable for both educators and students.
