Standard English Verb Forms
Standard English verb forms are the grammatically correct versions of verbs, such as 'I did' rather than 'I done' or 'we were' rather than 'we was', expected in formal speech and writing. Year 4 pupils learn to spot non-standard forms used in everyday speech and swap them for the standard form, especially in past tense verbs.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Learn the standard past tense forms of irregular verbs (e.g. 'went', 'saw', 'did') since these are the ones most often said incorrectly.
- Compare a non-standard sentence you might hear ('I done it') with the standard version ('I did it') and spot exactly what changes.
- Check verb agreement with the subject: 'we were' not 'we was', 'they weren't' not 'they wasn't'.
- Watch out for double negatives such as 'I never seen no one', which should become 'I never saw anyone'.
- Read your writing aloud and listen for any verb forms that sound like everyday speech rather than formal writing.
- Correct any non-standard forms before your final draft, especially in stories, reports and formal letters.
Worked example
Rewrite this sentence using Standard English verb forms: 'We was walking home when we seen a fox and I says hello to it.'
- Find each verb form: 'was walking' (should agree with 'we'), 'seen' (past tense of 'see'), 'says' (should be past tense to match the rest of the sentence).
- Change 'we was' to 'we were' because 'were' is the standard form used with 'we'.
- Change 'seen' to 'saw' because 'saw' is the standard simple past tense of 'see' ('seen' needs 'have' before it).
- Change 'says' to 'said' so the whole sentence stays in the past tense.
- Final answer: 'We were walking home when we saw a fox and I said hello to it.'
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a English exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Rewrite the following sentence using Standard English verb forms: 'Me and him was going to the park but we never seen no one there.'
Identify three non-standard verb forms in the sentence below and give the Standard English version of each: 'She done really well, we was proud, and they never brung the trophy.'
Rewrite this short paragraph using Standard English verb forms throughout: 'Yesterday we was playing football when Jamal fall over. He says he was fine but he don't get up for a minute.'
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the standard english verb forms worksheet pack - 10 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. No sign-up, no email wall - just the PDF, free for personal and classroom use.
Build a full practice pack.
This topic is one of hundreds in the library - pick the ones a student needs and generate a printable PDF in minutes.