Goes vs. Go’s – Which is Correct?
The correct word is goes, which is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb “to go.” The spelling “go’s” is incorrect and should never be used. It is a common grammatical error, likely stemming from a misunderstanding of how apostrophes are used in English for possession or contractions, neither of which applies to the verb “to go.”
Goes or Go’s – Which is Correct?
When you’re deciding between “goes” and “go’s,” the choice is straightforward: goes is always the correct option. “Goes” serves as the third-person singular present tense form of the verb “to go,” used when the subject is a singular noun or pronoun (he, she, it). For example, “He goes to work every day.”
The form “go’s” is a common misspelling and is grammatically incorrect in all contexts. The apostrophe in English typically indicates possession (e.g., “the dog’s bone”) or a contraction (e.g., “it’s” for “it is”). Neither of these rules applies to forming the third-person singular present tense of verbs. The root cause of this error often lies in a phonetic confusion or an incorrect application of apostrophe rules.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
The simplest trick to remember the difference is this: “Goes” is a verb, “go’s” is never a word. If you are describing an action performed by a singular subject (he, she, it), you need the verb form “goes.” An apostrophe with “go” simply doesn’t create a valid English word for this purpose. Think of it as a hard rule: if you want to say someone or something is moving or performing the action of “going,” use “goes.” If you see “go’s,” it’s a mistake.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| goes | Verb (3rd person singular present tense) | To move or travel; to proceed; to function | She always goes to the gym on Mondays. |
| go’s | Incorrect | Not a valid English word | (Incorrect usage: “The car go’s fast.”) |
How to Use Goes
“Goes” is the third-person singular present tense form of the irregular verb “to go.” It is used when the subject of the sentence is a singular noun (e.g., “the dog,” “the car,” “John”) or a third-person singular pronoun (he, she, it). It indicates an action that happens regularly, habitually, or is generally true. The tone is neutral and standard for everyday conversation and formal writing.
Example 1: My sister goes to college every weekday morning.
Example 2: The clock goes tick-tock, tick-tock without fail.
Example 3: He goes above and beyond to help his teammates.
What are the different forms of Goes?
“Goes” is a form of the irregular verb “to go.” Here are its principal parts and other common forms:
- Base Form: go (e.g., I go, you go, we go, they go)
- Third-Person Singular Present: goes (e.g., he goes, she goes, it goes)
- Past Simple: went (e.g., I went, he went, they went)
- Past Participle: gone (e.g., I have gone, he had gone)
- Present Participle/Gerund: going (e.g., I am going, going to the store)
Etymology of the word Goes
The verb “to go” has a rich and ancient history, tracing its roots back to Old English “gān.” Over centuries, its forms have evolved significantly. The “s” ending for the third-person singular present tense (“goes”) is a common grammatical feature in English verbs, though “go” itself is an irregular verb, meaning its past tense (“went”) and past participle (“gone”) don’t follow the regular “-ed” pattern. The word has been a fundamental part of the English language for describing movement and progression for well over a millennium.
Related Concepts
Understanding a few broader grammar concepts can help solidify why “goes” is correct and “go’s” is not.
- Subject-Verb Agreement: This rule states that the verb in a sentence must agree in number with its subject. For singular subjects (he, she, it, a singular noun), the verb in the present tense often takes an “-s” or “-es” ending, as seen in “he goes” or “she runs.”
- Apostrophes for Possession: An apostrophe followed by an “s” (‘s) typically indicates possession (e.g., “the cat’s toy”). It shows that something belongs to someone or something.
- Apostrophes for Contractions: An apostrophe can also indicate that letters have been omitted in a contraction (e.g., “it’s” for “it is” or “he’s” for “he is”).
- Irregular Verbs: “To go” is an irregular verb, meaning its past tense and past participle forms do not follow the standard pattern of adding “-ed.” While “goes” follows the regular present tense singular ending, its other forms like “went” and “gone” are irregular.
Examples from Media and Literature
- “Life goes on.” – A common idiom found in various songs and literature, emphasizing continuity.
- “Wherever she goes, she leaves a trail of kindness.” – A line from a contemporary novel highlighting someone’s positive influence.
- “The story goes that the old house is haunted by a friendly ghost.” – A phrase used in many folk tales and narratives.
- “As the saying goes, ‘When one door closes, another opens.'” – Often quoted in motivational speeches and self-help books.
- “He goes to great lengths to ensure his work is perfect.” – From a business article describing dedication.
Goes Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Travels | Moves from one place to another. |
| Proceeds | Continues an action or process; moves forward. |
| Walks | Moves at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn. |
| Departs | Leaves a place, especially to start a journey. |
| Functions | Operates or works in a particular way (when referring to a mechanism). |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Why do people often confuse “goes” with “go’s”?
People often confuse “goes” with “go’s” due to a misunderstanding of apostrophe rules. They might incorrectly apply the rule for possessives (e.g., “dog’s”) or contractions (e.g., “it’s”) to the third-person singular form of verbs, mistakenly believing an apostrophe is needed.
Question 2: Can “go’s” ever be correct in any context?
No, “go’s” is never grammatically correct in standard English. It does not represent a possessive, a contraction, or any valid verb form.
Question 3: How can I remember that “goes” is the correct form?
A good way to remember is to think of other regular verbs in the third-person singular present tense, like “runs,” “walks,” or “eats.” None of these use an apostrophe. “Goes” follows the same pattern, even though “go” is an irregular verb in its past tense forms.
Conclusion
In the straightforward comparison between “go’s” and “goes,” the answer is unequivocally “goes.” “Goes” is the correct third-person singular present tense form of the verb “to go,” essential for describing actions performed by singular subjects. “Go’s” is a persistent misspelling that has no place in proper English grammar. By understanding the correct application of apostrophes and the rules of subject-verb agreement, you can confidently use “goes” every time.
Pro Tip: Always proofread your writing, especially for common errors like “go’s,” as consistent grammatical accuracy enhances your professional reputation and ensures clear communication.
