oxford_guide_to_english_grammar

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Word endings: pronunciation and
spelling
289 Summary
Some words have grammatical endings. A noun can have a plural or possessive
form: friends, friend's. A verb can have an s-form, ed-form or ing-form: asks, asked,
asking. Some adjectives can have a comparative and superlative form: quicker,
quickest. A word can also end with a suffix: argument, idealist, weekly, drinkable.
When we add these endings to a word, there are sometimes changes in
pronunciation or spelling.
The s/es ending • 290
match
matches
The ed ending •291
wait
waited
Leaving out e • 292
make making insure insurance
The doubling of consonants • 293
big bigger regret regrettable
Consonant + y • 294
easy easily beauty beautiful
290 The s/es ending
To form a regular noun plural or the s-form of a verb, we usually add s.
rooms games looks opens hides
After a sibilant sound we add es.
kisses watches bushes taxes
But if the word ends in e, we add s.
places supposes prizes