Simple present tense verbs are created by adding -s or -es to the verb. Add -s to all verbs except those ending with s, x, z, ch or sh. In these cases, add -es to the verb instead. Examples include fixes, switches and pushes.
Whenever the last three letters of a one-syllable verb are a consonant, a vowel and another consonant, double the last consonant before adding an -ing or -ed to change the verb tense. An exception to this rule occurs when a one-syllable word ends in w, x or y. Do not double these letters. You will also double the last consonant in two-syllable verbs ending in a consonant, a vowel and another consonant if the last syllable is stressed, such as in the words "prefer," "regret "and "admit." These become "preferred," "regretted" and "admitted," or "preferring," "regretting" and "admitting."
If a verb ends in ie, always change the ie to y before adding -ing. For example, "tie" becomes "tying." Also, if the verb ends in a y, change the y to an i before adding -ed. For example, "supply" becomes "supplied." However, if the verb ends in a y preceded by a vowel, such as in "annoy" or "play," you usually do not change the y. Exceptions to this rule include "say" ("said"), "pay" ("paid") and "lay" ("laid").
When a word ends in a silent e, drop the e before adding -ing or -ed to change the verb tense. Examples include "baking," "making," "hoped" and "loved."
Irregular verbs do not follow the regular verb patterns. Some of these verbs do not change their spelling at all when the verb tense changes. For example, the verbs "burst," "cut" and "let" stay the same regardless of whether they are referring to the past, present or future. Other verbs change into entirely new words. For example, the verb "be" becomes "was" or "were" when referring to the past, and the verb "go" becomes the word "went."