Understanding the Use of 's' in Third Person Present Tense Singular in English

English, as a language, has specific rules to indicate grammatical agreement between its subjects and verbs, particularly in the third person present tense singular. This practice not only enhances clarity but also contributes to the overall structure and consistency of the language.

Subject-Verb Agreement in English

The rule of adding 's' to a verb in the third person present tense singular is a critical aspect of English grammar. It ensures that verbs agree in number and person with their subjects. This agreement is fundamental to the language’s syntax and meaning.

Consider the following examples:

He runs. (Third person singular) She plays. (Third person singular) It watches. (Third person singular)

In these examples, the addition of 's' to 'run', 'play', and 'watch' makes it clear that the subject (he, she, it) is performing the action. This is a simple yet effective way to convey the intended meaning.

Historical Development of the 's' Rule

The use of 's' in the third person singular is steeped in the history of the English language. It is a remnant of earlier language forms, evolving from more complex inflected systems in Old English to a simpler modern structure. Historically, verbs in Old English were more inflective, with a variety of endings to indicate person, number, and tense. Over time, these inflections simplified, leading to the current rule.

For instance, the verb 'comen' (to come) was conjugated in Middle English as:

First person singular: come Second person singular: comest Third person singular: cometh Plural: comen (both singular and plural forms)

Today, we see the same verb as 'comes', with the final 'n' disappearing and the 'eth' sound becoming a schwa sound. This evolution reflects the ongoing simplification of English verb forms.

Clarity and Ambiguity

The addition of 's' serves several important linguistic functions. Primarily, it clarifies who is performing the action, especially in sentences where the subject might not be explicitly stated. This helps avoid ambiguity and enhances the communication process.

For example:

She runs.

Without the 's', it would be ambiguous whether 'runs' applies to a male or female subject. The 's' makes it clear that 'runs' is the present tense of 'run' for a singular third-person subject.

Regularity in Verb Conjugation

By maintaining a consistent rule for the third person singular, English ensures a level of regularity in verb conjugation. This consistency is beneficial for language learners who can more easily predict how verbs should be formed based on this singular rule.

However, there are exceptions in the form of irregular verbs. Verbs such as 'go', 'eat', 'see', etc., do not follow this rule and require memorization. Despite these irregularities, the vast majority of verbs adhere to the 's' rule, making English a relatively regular and predictable language for verb usage.

Examples:

She eats. (Regular verb) He sees. (Regular verb) We go. (Regular verb)

While irregular verbs complicate the language, they are a necessity for accurately expressing certain actions, and learners can rely on the regular 's' pattern in the majority of cases.

General Rule for Singular Subjects

It's important to note that not all singular subjects use 's'. For instance, all the pronouns of the first person (I, we) do not require an 's' in the present indefinite tense. This is because the first person singular and plural forms are often distinguished by other means, such as the context or the use of other verb forms.

Example:

I run. (First person singular)

We run. (First person plural)

These exceptions are part of the broader rules of English grammar, which are constantly evolving. As English speakers developed a preference for a simpler form, the language adapted, with 's' becoming the standard for third person singular verbs.

Conclusion

The addition of 's' in the third person present tense singular is a well-established rule in English grammar. It strengthens clarity, maintains a consistent structure, and reflects the historical development of the language. Despite the exceptions in irregular verbs, this rule provides a reliable framework for effective communication.