The Final -s

There are three types of final -s in some words in English, including plural nouns, verbs in present simple tense for third person singular subjects and as a part of the possessive cases.

Plural Nouns:

In English, we can add -s/-es to the end of a noun in order to make it plural.


book è books             school è schools         table è tables
box   è boxes            city     è cities            dish   è dishes

Third Person Singular Subject:

In present simple tense, third person singular subject always takes

-s/-es at the end.

Walt wakes up at 7 every day and goes to school.
Skyler makes breakfast and washes the dishes.

Possessive (‘s):

We add ‘s to singular nouns to show possession.

We are having a party at John‘s house.
Michael drove his friend‘s car.

Note that we add only ( ) to plural nouns ending in -s:
This is my parents’ house.
Those are ladies’ shoes.