Ancient Roots:
* Proto-Indo-European: The ancestor of many languages, including English, had a "*-t" ending for 3rd person singular verbs. Think of it as a way of saying "he/she/it does."
* Old English: This evolved to "-eth" or "-th." Examples: "He loveth" or "She goeth."
The Great Shift:
* Middle English: Around the 14th century, English underwent a significant change known as the "Great Vowel Shift." This changed how vowels were pronounced. As a result, the "-eth" ending gradually lost its distinct pronunciation and became a mere "-e" sound.
* Modern English: The "-e" eventually disappeared entirely, except in a few cases like "doeth" and "hath" that are now considered archaic. However, the "-t" ending from the Proto-Indo-European days lingered, and it was modified to become the "-s" we see today.
Why "-s"?
* Grammar vs. Pronunciation: The "-s" is a grammatical marker, signaling the 3rd person singular. Even though we don't say it with a "t" sound, it's a reminder of the verb's history.
* Consistency: Using "-s" for the 3rd person singular created a more consistent system compared to the older "-eth" ending.
Examples:
* He walks**.
* She sings**.
* It rains**.
In Summary:
The "-s" ending in English 3rd person singular verbs is a fascinating example of linguistic evolution. It's a remnant of the Proto-Indo-European language, shaped by the Great Vowel Shift and the need for a clear grammatical marker. It's a small but significant part of what makes English the unique language it is today.