[revel]

Hey.

In many cases, that "s" sound at the end of 3rd person singular in the simple present is actually the consonant sound that starts off the first syllable of the word that follows it:

He lives in New York = he lif si noo eeork.

Repeating over and over again "3rd person singular in simple present always ends in "s" there is NO exception" is a nice reminder but does not always help when that hissing sound needs to be produced. Since many languages are actually pronounced consonant -- vowel, doing this kind of liaison practice might help.

Fortunately, the simple present is not used as often as other tenses or modes of verbs and this kind of error is probably only really a sore thumb when doing simple present exercises in the language classroom. Must be insisted upon for correct use but not going to get in the way during a chat over a beer....or kool-aide as might be the case.

peace,
revel.