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Primary English · Year 4Chapter 7 · Noun phrases, pronouns and verb forms
Year 4 English · Noun phrases, pronouns and verb forms · Lesson 7.5

Year 4 English: Standard English verb forms: we were, I did, I saw

Part of the Year 4 English noun phrases, pronouns and verb forms chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

7.5

Standard English verb forms: we were, I did, I saw

Year 4
Use Standard English verb forms in writing, such as we were, I did and I saw, Correct a verb form that is not Standard English, and explain the change
Story. Dad and I went to the beach. We were tired after the long walk. I did a sandcastle with Ben, and Mum saw the rainbow over the sea.

Standard English is the form of English used in most writing, such as school work, letters and newspapers. People speak in many different ways, and a spoken form can be right in conversation. In writing, we use the Standard English verb forms.

Some verb forms are often changed in speech. Learn these pairs, and use the first column in writing:

Use this in writingNot this, in writingExample
we were, you were, they werewe was, you was, they wasWe were late.
I did, he did, we didI done, he done, we doneI did my best.
I saw, we sawI seen, we seenI saw the owl.
I came, they cameI come, they come (for the past)They came early.
I ran, we ranI runned, we runnedWe ran to the gate.
I went, we wentI goed, we goedWe went home.
We wereStandard Englishtiredadjective
In writing, we were is the Standard English form. The word tired describes the people.

Key ideas

  • In writing, use Standard English verb forms: we were, not we was.
  • Did is the past tense of do: I did, not I done.
  • Saw is the past tense of see: I saw, not I seen.
  • Came, ran and went are past tense forms: they came, I ran, we went.
  • Speech can use other forms, but in writing choose the Standard English form.
Worked example 7.5.1
Choose the word that fits best: was or were. We ___ at the park.

Method. Choose the word that fits the grammar and the meaning.

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Decide which word the sentence needs.
    We ___ at the park.
  2. Think about the grammar and the meaning. We takes the plural verb form were.
    We were at the park.
  3. Check the other choice. Was goes with one person, such as I, he, she or it.
    We were at the park.
  4. Write the answer.
    were

Check. Read the whole sentence aloud with were in the gap. ✓

Watch out. Put each choice in the gap and read the sentence aloud.

Worked example 7.5.2
Correct the sentence so that it uses Standard English: They done their homework.

Method. Find the verb form that is not Standard English, and change it.

  1. Read the sentence. Check the form of each verb.
    They done their homework.
  2. Find the wrong form. Done is not the past tense of do. The past tense is did.
    done -> did
  3. Write the correct sentence. Read it aloud. It now uses the Standard English form.
    They did their homework.
  4. Write the answer.
    They did their homework.

Check. Read the corrected sentence aloud. ✓

Watch out. In writing, use the Standard English verb form, even if speech uses another form.

Worked example 7.5.3
Correct the sentence so that it uses Standard English: I seen the rainbow.

Method. Find the verb form that is not Standard English, and change it.

  1. Read the sentence. Check the form of each verb.
    I seen the rainbow.
  2. Find the wrong form. Seen is not the past tense of see. The past tense is saw.
    seen -> saw
  3. Write the correct sentence. Read it aloud. It now uses the Standard English form.
    I saw the rainbow.
  4. Write the answer.
    I saw the rainbow.

Check. Read the corrected sentence aloud. ✓

Watch out. Also correct: I have seen the rainbow. That is the present perfect, in section 7.6.

Watch out

Watch out: done and seen need have or has in front of them, as in Dad has done the washing up or I have seen the owl. On their own, use did and saw: Dad did the washing up.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say a sentence aloud in your own way, then say it again in writing. Your child can compare the two and choose the Standard English form for the page.

Exercise 7E  Practice: Standard English verb forms

1
FChoose the word that fits best: was or were. The children ___ happy.
2
FChoose the word that fits best: was or were. You ___ very quick today!
3
FCorrect the sentence so that it uses Standard English: We was at the beach.
4
FCorrect the sentence so that it uses Standard English: Dad done the washing up.
5
FChoose the word that fits best: saw or seen. Ben ___ the bird on the fence.
6
FChoose the word that fits best: saw or seen. Ella has ___ the film twice.
7
FCorrect the sentence so that it uses Standard English: The dog runned across the field.
8
FChoose the word that fits best: went or goed. Yesterday we ___ to the library.
9
RAli says that We was happy is correct, because many people say it. Is he right? Explain.
10
PSCorrect the sentence so that it uses Standard English: They was late, so they done their work in a hurry.
11
RWrite two sentences about a trip. One must use we were, and the other must use I did.

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