Person and Number in English Grammar
Person and Number in English Grammar :
In English we have three persons (first, second, third) and two numbers (singular and plural).
First person singular, the I form, refers to the speaker.
First person plural, the WE form, refers to the speaker and one or more other persons.
Second person singular and plural, the YOU form, refers to the person or persons spoken to.
Third person singular, the HE, SHE, IT form, refers to someone or something other than the speaker or the person spoken to.
Third person plural, the THEY form, refers to more than one person or thing other than the speaker or the person spoken to.
The Present Active for the first person singular and plural, the second person singular and plural and the third person plural is the basic form.
1. I accept your invitation.
2. We accept.
3. Do you accept?
4. They accept!
The Present Active for the third person singular (HE, SHE, IT) is normally formed by adding “s” after most consonants and all silent vowels.
1. She runs.
2. He plays.
3. It snows.
4. She moves.
5. He hides.
6. It drives.
After the combinations of “ss,” “zz," “ch,” “sh,” “x,” or after a vowel that is pronounced, we add “es
1. She passes.
2. It buzzes.
3. He catches.
4. She pushes.
5. He boxes.
6. He goes.
7. She does.
When a verb ends in “y” after a consonant, the “y” changes to an “i” and is followed by “es.”
1. He cries.
2. She tries.
3. It fries.
In a few instances when the basic form ends in a single “s," you add “ses.”
1. The district busses.
2. She focusses.
The Present Passive is a compound form combining the conjugated form of BE with the past participle.
1. I am accepted.
2. We are registered.
3. You are registered.
4. They are registered.
5. He is required.
6. She is required.
7. It is required.
Person and Number in English Grammar
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