Follow the general rule for the present tense of regular verbs by adding an "s" to the third-person singular. No ending is added to first-person verbs, singular or plural; second-person verbs, singular or plural; or third person verbs, plural. For example: He reads; I read; you read; they read.
Make an exception to the general rule by adding "es" to third-person singular verbs that terminate in "o" (go -- goes, do -- does) or "sh" (wash -- washes, publish -- publishes).
Make an exception to the general rule by changing the ending "y" of a third-person singular verb to "ies" if the "y" is directly preceded by a consonant (marry -- marries, identify -- identifies).
Make an exception to the general rule for the verb forms of "be." In the present tense, it is conjugated as follows: I am; You (singular) are; He is; She is; It is; We are; You (plural) are; They are.
Determine the number and person of your chosen verb and choose a subject that agrees in number and person. Example: The flower (third-person singular subject) blooms (third-person singular verb). The flowers (third-person plural subject) bloom (third-person plural verb).
Ignore words that come between a subject and verb when choosing the correct verb. Example: The rooms (third person plural subject) in my house need (third person plural verb) a good dusting.
Treat most compound subjects (those with two or more elements connected by "and" or an implied "and") as plural. Example: Mary and John make dinner for Kathy and Jake every Wednesday. Exception: Treat compound subjects that form a single unit as singular. Example: Cake and ice cream is my favorite dessert.
Use the singular form of the verb when a compound subject is preceded by "each" or "every." Example: Every aunt, uncle and cousin wants my lasagna recipe.
Choose a verb that agrees with the element of a compound subject that is in closer proximity to the verb when the elements are connected by "or," "nor," "either ... or," "neither ... nor." Example: Neither the coach nor the athletes know where the team bus is parked. Neither the athletes nor the coach knows where the team bus is parked.