Rules for spelling verbs
With nouns (singular vs plural)
Auxiliary verbs: singular/plural
- She is / They are
- He was / They were
- Sally has / They have
- standard (add 's')
- run (runs)
- ends in 'o', 's', 'z', 'x', 'ch', or 'sh' (add 'es')
- teach (teaches)
- ends in consonant + 'y' (replace 'y' with 'ies')
- cry (cries)
- That cat is cute. Cats are cute.
- The dog chases the ball. The dogs chase the ball.
With prepositions
The rule is add '-ing'. For example:
- I thanked her for coming early.
- I helped by moving rubble.
- I learned about farming.
The only exception is 'to'. When 'to' is followed by a verb, the verb is either in its simple form (i.e. find, not found or finds) or verb+ing (e.g. finding).
You can determine which by replacing the verb with a noun.
You can determine which by replacing the verb with a noun.
- I want to eat ice cream. I want ice cream.
- If 'to' is removed, then use simple form.
- I have a job in addition to writing this blog. I have a job in addition to this blog.
- If 'to' is retained, then use verb+ing.
With auxiliary verbs
The rule is to use simple form (i.e. not verb-s, verb-ed, or verb-ing). For example:
- I will follow you to the end.
- I do not want to go.
- I should eat dinner now.
The only exceptions are 'be' and 'have' verbs.
When 'be' is followed by a verb, it is either continuous tense (e.g. I am looking for my phone) or passive (e.g. I was punched). While all verbs have a verb-ing form, not all verbs have a verb-ed form. In the latter case, simply typing '[verb] define' into Google will provide you with the past tense form.
When 'have' is followed by a verb, it is perfect tense (e.g. I have seen you before and He had not known the answer). Sometimes the appropriate verb form is verb-ed, but not always. If unsure, simply typing '[verb] define' into Google will provide you with the past participle form.
When 'be' is followed by a verb, it is either continuous tense (e.g. I am looking for my phone) or passive (e.g. I was punched). While all verbs have a verb-ing form, not all verbs have a verb-ed form. In the latter case, simply typing '[verb] define' into Google will provide you with the past tense form.
When 'have' is followed by a verb, it is perfect tense (e.g. I have seen you before and He had not known the answer). Sometimes the appropriate verb form is verb-ed, but not always. If unsure, simply typing '[verb] define' into Google will provide you with the past participle form.
