ELLLO Beginner English Lesson 3-02

Third Person Singular

Part 1: Learn the Grammar

Watch the video explaining the grammar point.

Part 2: Test Your Grammar

Now review the lesson and take the quiz.. How good is your grammar?

Grammar
Quiz

Present Simple - Third Person Singular

Point 1: The third person singular refers to a person or thing you are talking about. Because it is singular, it refers to just one person or thing.

Bob is my boss. He helps me a lot.
Suzy has a nice car, but she never drives it to work.
My phone does not take pictures. It does not have camera.
This pizza tastes great. It has a lot of calories though.

Point 2: In the present tense, we add an /-s/ to verbs if the subject is the third person singular.

Larry loves videos games. He plays them every night.
Sue walks to work. She listens to podcasts as she walks.
My phone needs a new charger. It costs 40 dollars.

Point 3: In negative statements, change do not to does not. In spoken English, we often say the contraction doesn't.

She does not work nights.
She doesn't work nights.
He does not travel much.
He doesn't travel much.
It does not snow much in my town.
It doesn't snow much in my town.

Point 4: In questions, change the auxiliary do to does in WH questions if the question is about the object.

When does the train leave? / It leaves a six.
What does your mom want for her birthday? / She wants a cat.
How does your wife get to work? / She takes the bus.
Why does he always look angry? / He has a lot of stress

Point 5: Add /-s/ to the verb, and do not use does, if the question is about the subject. The question word will be either what or who.