Is it "bark" or "barks"? - briefly
It depends on whether you're referring to one dog or multiple dogs. Use "bark" for one dog and "barks" for multiple dogs.
Is it "bark" or "barks"? - in detail
The choice between "bark" and "barks" depends on the grammatical context in which these words are used. To understand this distinction, we need to explore the role of verbs in English sentences.
Verbs can be either in their base form or inflected forms. In the case of "bark," we have a regular verb that changes its form based on the subject and tense. The base form of the verb is "bark," which is used with plural subjects, the pronouns "he," "she," and "it," and in certain clauses where the subject is implied but not specified.
For example:
- Dogs bark loudly. (plural subject)
- He barks at every noise. (singular subject 'he')
- It's a dog, and it barks. (singular subject 'it')
- To bark is to make a loud noise. (infinitive form)
However, when the subject is "I," you need to add an "s" to the base form of the verb. This inflected form is "barks." It indicates that the action is performed by the first person singular subject.
For example:
- I bark at strangers. (singular subject 'I')
To summarize, "bark" is used with plural subjects and certain third-person singular pronouns, while "barks" is specifically for the first-person singular subject "I." Understanding this distinction helps in forming grammatically correct sentences and effectively communicating your thoughts.