---
title: "Standard English Verbs"
description: "Use Standard English verb inflections in place of non-standard local forms"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/standard-english-verbs-mt_ay0qkGj0jg
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/standard-english-verbs-mt_ay0qkGj0jg.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Standard English Verbs

Use Standard English verb inflections in place of non-standard local forms

Subject: English · Area: Grammar & Punctuation · Ages 8 to 9
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/standard-english-verbs-mt_ay0qkGj0jg

## Ready when they can

- Correct 'we was playing' to 'we were playing' and explain why the standard form is needed in writing
- Choose the standard form in pairs such as 'I did / I done', 'she has / she have', 'they were / they was'
- Rewrite a short passage replacing three non-standard verb forms with their Standard English equivalents

## Lesson: Speaking vs. Writing: Standard Verb Forms

You probably talk one way with friends and a different way in schoolwork, and that's normal. But written English has one standard set of verb forms everyone uses, like 'were' instead of 'was' with we, you, or they.

**Example.** At home you might say 'We was playing tag.' In your writing, change it to 'We were playing tag,' because 'were' is the standard form that pairs with 'we.'

*(drawing: Swap 'was' for 'were' when you write for school: We were running home.)*

**Example.** 'I done it' becomes 'I did it' in your writing. 'She have a bike' becomes 'She has a bike,' just like 'he has' or 'it has.'

The pairing works both ways. 'Was' still belongs with I, he, she, and it, so 'I was' and 'she was' are standard. And 'have' belongs with I, you, we, and they, while 'has' stays with he, she, and it. One more helper: 'done' never stands alone, but 'I have done it' is standard.

**Tip.** Try swapping in 'he' to check: 'he have' sounds odd, but 'he has' sounds right. That trick also works for 'was' and 'were.'

**Recap.** In your writing, use 'were' with we/they, 'did' instead of 'done' alone, and 'has' with she/he.

## Practice

24 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Past, Present and Progressive Tense](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/past-present-and-progressive-tense-mt_enj1sMcfOT)

## Opens up

- [Child Language: How Speech Develops](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/child-language-how-speech-develops-mt_GC3OSei4tC)
- [Modal Verbs and Possibility](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/modal-verbs-and-possibility-mt_N9zffZxuu5)