Your task
Fill in the gap in each sentence with the correct word or phrase.
0 / 20 answered
Your score
0 / 200%
Keep practising! Focus on the explanations below.
Quick rule
A verb takes -s, -es or -ies after he, she, it or a singular noun. After does or doesn't, write the plain verb with no ending.
consonant + ych, sh, x, ss, oDo / Doesdon't / doesn't
See full explanation ↓About this exercise
In this B1 gap-fill set you type each answer yourself, so you cannot guess from a list. There are 20 sentences. Some need only the verb with the right ending, and others need an auxiliary such as does, don't or do. The set tests spelling as much as grammar: you meet studies, flies, teaches, closes and revolves, and each one follows a different spelling pattern. Before you type, find the subject and decide whether the sentence is positive, negative or a question. Then write the form and check the explanation. Some answers accept a contracted or a full form, so both are marked correct.
The rule in 30 seconds
A verb takes -s, -es or -ies after he, she, it or a singular noun. After does or doesn't, write the plain verb with no ending.
he, she, it + verb with -s, -es or -ies / does or doesn't + plain verbconsonant + ychange y to ies, as in study and fly
ch, sh, x, ss, oadd es, as in teach, wash and fix
Do / Doesopens a yes/no question
don't / doesn'tmakes the sentence negative
Learn from the errors
Common mistakes this set targets
- Wrong spelling after a consonant plus y. My brother studys medicine at university. → My brother studies medicine at university.Change y to i and add -es when a consonant comes before the y.
- Extra letter after -e. The shop closees at 6 p.m. on weekdays. → The shop closes at 6 p.m. on weekdays.Close already ends in e, so add only -s.
- Wrong ending after -o. She gos to Paris every month for work. → She goes to Paris every month for work.A verb that ends in -o takes -es.
- Missing ending after a singular noun. The Earth revolve around the sun. → The Earth revolves around the sun.The Earth means it, so the verb takes -s.
Frequently asked questions
When do I write -es and when do I write -s?
Write -es after verbs that end in -ch, -sh, -ss, -x or -o, such as teaches, washes, misses, fixes and goes. Write -s after most other verbs.
Which spelling do I use for fly and study?
Both end in a consonant plus y, so y becomes i and you add -es. The forms are flies and studies. Play is different, because a vowel comes before the y, so it stays plays.
Why does the answer for "The Earth revolves around the sun" end in -s?
The Earth is a singular noun, so it takes it. A scientific fact uses the present simple, and the verb needs the -s ending.