Standard English Verbs · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Speaking vs. Writing: Standard Verb Forms

English · Grammar & Punctuation · ages 8-9
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Choose the standard form: 'She ___ a great singer.'

    • have
    • has
    • haves

  2. Why do we use standard verb forms in school writing?

    • So everyone can read and understand it
    • So it sounds like playground talk
    • So verbs can take any shape we like

  3. Which sentence is standard written English?

    • It has a long tail.
    • It have a long tail.
    • It haves a long tail.

  4. Which sentence uses the standard form for schoolwork?

    • We was playing outside.
    • We were playing outside.
    • We is playing outside.

  5. Pick the standard form: 'They ___ at the park yesterday.'

    • was
    • were
    • be

  6. Pick the standard form: 'They ___ two new puppies.'

    • has
    • haves
    • have

  7. Which sentence is correct for a school story?

    • I was lost in the museum.
    • I were lost in the museum.
    • I be lost in the museum.

  8. Which word should change in this sentence for schoolwork: 'They done their chores.'

    • They
    • done
    • chores

  9. Maya wrote: 'We was happy. We done well, and our teacher have a big smile.' Which version fixes all three verbs?

    • We were happy. We did well, and our teacher has a big smile.
    • We were happy. We done well, and our teacher has a big smile.
    • We was happy. We did well, and our teacher have a big smile.

  10. 'We was winning, but then they done well.' Which pair fixes this for standard writing?

    • 'were' and 'did'
    • 'was' and 'did'
    • 'were' and 'done'
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Speaking vs. Writing: Standard Verb Forms W1-mt_ay0qkGj0jg-s1

  1. has · 'Has' goes with she, he, and it in Standard English.
  2. So everyone can read and understand it · Written English uses one shared set of forms so every reader can understand it.
  3. It has a long tail. · 'Has' goes with it, just like with he and she.
  4. We were playing outside. · In written English, 'were' goes with we, you, and they.
  5. were · 'They' pairs with 'were,' not 'was,' in Standard English.
  6. have · 'Have' pairs with they, like with we and you.
  7. I was lost in the museum. · 'Was' belongs with I, so 'I was' is the standard form.
  8. done · 'Done' should become 'did' since it has no helper word.
  9. We were happy. We did well, and our teacher has a big smile. · All three forms need fixing: 'were', 'did', and 'has'.
  10. 'were' and 'did' · Standard writing needs 'were' with we, and 'did' instead of 'done' alone.
Worksheet · LightMySky