diff --git a/esmf_regrid/constants.py b/esmf_regrid/constants.py
index 9942c1b1..2335d60e 100644
--- a/esmf_regrid/constants.py
+++ b/esmf_regrid/constants.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ class NormType(Enum):
 
 
 def check_method(method):
-    """Checks that method is a member of the `Constants.Method` enum or raises an error."""
+    """Check that method is a member of the `Constants.Method` enum or raise an error."""
     if method in method_dict.keys():
         result = method_dict[method]
     elif method in method_dict.values():
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ def check_method(method):
 
 
 def check_norm(norm):
-    """Checks that normtype is a member of the `Constants.NormType` enum or raises an error."""
+    """Check that normtype is a member of the `Constants.NormType` enum or raise an error."""
     if norm in norm_dict.keys():
         result = norm_dict[norm]
     elif norm in norm_dict.values():