When the subject is a singular noun or pronoun, the verb takes the marker –s in the simple present tense.

Read the sentences given below.

• Parents work hard to raise their children.
• My mother works hard for us.

When the subject is the plural noun parents, the verb does not have the –s ending.

When the subject is the singular noun mother, the verb ends in –s.

Fill in the blanks using the words given in the brackets.

1. The Himalayas ………………… majestic. (look / looks)

2. This set of books ………………. eighty rupees. (cost / costs)

3. Rose …………….. sweet. (smell / smells)

4. She ………………….. with my brother. (work / works)

5. Suma …………………. with her parents. (live / lives)

6. Madhu ……………….. the piano very well. (play / plays)

7. He ……………… his children. (adore / adores)

8. Rahul and Sonia ………………. a business in the city. (run / runs)

9. All children ……………….. chocolates. (love / loves)

10. Birds ………………. in the sky. (fly / flies)

11. I ……………….. up at six o’clock. (get / gets)

Answers

1. The Himalayas look majestic.

2. This set of books costs eighty rupees.

3. Rose smells sweet.

4. She works with my brother.

5. Suma lives with her parents.

6. Madhu plays the piano very well.

7. He adores his children.

8. Rahul and Sonia run a business in the city.

9. All children love chocolates.

10. Birds fly in the sky.

11. I get up at six o’clock. (When the subject is the first person singular pronoun I, the verb does not take the marker –s.)