Subject-Verb Agreement
English verbs change for he/she/it — Chinese verbs never change
Category: Grammar
The Rule
In present simple, add -s/-es for third person singular (he/she/it): 'She works', 'He goes', 'It rains'. All other subjects use base form: 'I work', 'They work'.
Why This Matters
Chinese verbs are invariable: 他工作/我工作/他们工作 — same 工作 every time. English adds -s for he/she/it, which Chinese speakers frequently forget because it feels redundant (the subject already tells you who).
Examples
• She works at a bank. — "她在银行工作。" [She + works (with -s)] • He likes music. — "他喜欢音乐。" [He + likes (with -s)] • They work at a bank. — "他们在银行工作。" [They + work (no -s)]
Common Mistakes
❌ She work at a bank. ✅ She works at a bank. → Third person singular (she) requires -s on the verb in present simple. ❌ They works at a bank. ✅ They work at a bank. → Plural subjects do NOT add -s. Only he/she/it does.
Quick Tip
Only ONE -s rule: he/she/it + verb-s in present simple. Past tense ('She worked') and modals ('She can work') don't add -s. It's ONLY present simple + 3rd person.
Only ONE -s rule: he/she/it + verb-s in present simple. Past tense ('She worked') and modals ('She can work') don't add -s. It's ONLY present simple + 3rd person.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: She work at a bank. → Correct: She works at a bank.. Third person singular (she) requires -s on the verb in present simple.
Incorrect: They works at a bank. → Correct: They work at a bank.. Plural subjects do NOT add -s. Only he/she/it does.
Quiz
Which is correct?