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

Noun phrases, pronouns and verb forms

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • Find the noun phrase, the determiner and the noun in a sentence
  • Expand a noun phrase with an adjective, a describing noun and a prepositional phrase
  • Replace a noun phrase with a pronoun, and check that the pronoun points to one clear noun
  • Tell a determiner (my, these) from a possessive pronoun (mine, theirs) by whether a noun follows
  • Write Standard English verb forms in writing, such as we were and I did
  • Use the present perfect for something that matters now, and the past tense for a finished time

You should already know

  • Word classes: noun, adjective, pronoun, preposition, determiner (Year 3, Chapter 3)
  • Expanded noun phrases with adjectives and prepositional phrases (Year 3, Chapter 10)
  • The present perfect in contrast to the past tense (Year 3, Chapter 6)
  • Possessive apostrophes, and its and it's (Chapter 4 of this book)

Where this leads

  • Writing stories and non-fiction with clear pronouns, expanded noun phrases and Standard English (Chapters 11 and 12)
  • Clauses and connectives with pronouns and verb forms (Chapter 6 of this book)

National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2 English, Year 4. Content: Expand noun phrases with adjectives, describing nouns and prepositional phrases, and name the determiner and the noun, Choose a noun or a pronoun so that the reader knows who or what is meant, and to avoid repetition, Use pronouns before a verb (I, he, they) and after a verb or a preposition (me, him, them), and possessive pronouns that stand alone, Use Standard English verb forms in writing: we were, I did, I saw, not we was, I done, I seen, Use the present perfect (have or has with a past participle) in contrast to the past tense, Use the terms noun phrase, determiner, pronoun, possessive pronoun and Standard English.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWrite the connective in this sentence: We stayed inside because it was raining.
2
FWrite the fronted adverbial in this sentence: After lunch, we walked to the lake.
3
FWrite the preposition in this sentence: The cat hid under the bed.
4
FWrite the verb in this sentence: Ruby sings every Tuesday.
5
FWrite the possessive form of the coats of the children, using an apostrophe. Write the words only.
7.1

Noun phrases and determiners

Year 4
Find a noun phrase: a noun and the words that go with it, Name the determiner, which comes first and tells which one or whose
Video lesson: Noun phrases and determinersComing soon
Story. The old farmer fed the hens in the yard. Those ducks waited by the gate. A brown dog sat on the wall and watched.

A noun phrase is a noun and the words that go with it. The noun is the main word. The other words say which one, what it is like, or whose it is. The hens, a brown dog and those ducks are all noun phrases.

A determiner comes first in many noun phrases. It tells us which one or whose it is. Common determiners are the, a, this, that, these, those, my, your, his, her, its, our and their.

A determiner does not describe the noun. Words that describe a noun are adjectives, such as brown or tiny.

DeterminerIt tells usExample noun phrase
thewhich one, a particular onethe hens
aone of several, not a particular onea brown dog
this, thatwhich one, near or farthis kite, that kite
these, thosewhich ones, near or farthese eggs, those ducks
my, your, his, her, its, our, theirwhose it ismy bike, their garden
thedeterminerbrownadjectivedognoun
The three words together are one noun phrase. The noun dog is the main word.

Key ideas

  • A noun phrase is a noun and the words that go with it.
  • The determiner comes first, and it tells which one or whose it is: the, a, this, my.
  • A determiner does not describe the noun. An adjective does: the brown dog.
  • This and that go with one thing; these and those go with more than one: this kite, these kites.
Worked example 7.1.1
Copy the noun phrase that names the birds that waited: Those ducks waited by the gate.

Method. Find the noun, then copy the words that go with it.

  1. Find the noun. The noun is the main word; the other words describe it or say which one.
    ducks
  2. Find the words that go with it. Look for a determiner, adjectives and describing nouns that belong to the noun.
    Those ducks
  3. Copy the whole noun phrase. Copy every word that belongs to the noun, and no more.
    Those ducks
  4. Write the answer.
    Those ducks

Check. Every word in Those ducks goes with ducks. ✓

Watch out. Do not copy the verb, or a prepositional phrase that comes after the noun phrase.

Worked example 7.1.2
Which word is the determiner in this noun phrase? the golden egg

Method. Name the determiner in the phrase.

  1. Look at each word. Find the word that does the job of a determiner.
    the golden egg
  2. Check its job. It comes first, and it says which egg.
    the
  3. Name it. the is the determiner.
    the
  4. Write the answer.
    the

Check. the does this job. ✓

Worked example 7.1.3
Write a noun phrase with the determiner these and the noun pencils.

Method. Build the noun phrase in order: determiner, adjectives, nouns, then the prepositional phrase.

  1. Add the determiner. The determiner comes first in the noun phrase, and it says which one or whose.
    these
  2. Add the noun. The main noun comes after the words that describe it.
    these pencils
  3. Write the answer.
    these pencils

Check. These goes with a plural noun, pencils. ✓

Watch out. Use these with a plural noun. This would be wrong with pencils.

Watch out

Watch out: a noun phrase can be a single noun with no determiner, such as Rain in Rain fell. Do not add a determiner that is not there. Also, the word the in the river is a determiner, not the noun.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Point to something in the room, such as a cup, and ask your child to add the words that go with it: which cup, what sort, whose. Every word that goes with the noun belongs to the noun phrase.

Exercise 7A  Practice: noun phrases and determiners

1
FCopy the noun phrase that names who fed the hens: The old farmer fed the hens.
2
FWhich word is the determiner in this noun phrase? those tall trees
3
FWrite the determiner in each noun phrase.
(a)my bike
(b)a biscuit
(c)these eggs
4
FWhich word is the noun in this noun phrase? the shiny silver spoon
5
FWrite the noun phrase with the determiner the, the adjective yellow and the noun bus.
6
FChoose the word that fits best: this or these. ___ puppies are asleep in the basket.
7
FChoose the word that fits best: this or these. ___ hat is mine, not yours.
8
PSAli says that the is the noun in the river. Is he right? Explain.
9
FWrite the noun in each noun phrase.
(a)the tiny mouse
(b)those red apples
(c)a bright star
10
RExplain why the is not an adjective in the red ball.
11
RWrite three different noun phrases about a garden. Use a different determiner in each one.
7.2

Expanding noun phrases with adjectives, describing nouns and prepositional phrases

Year 4
Expand a noun phrase with adjectives, a describing noun and a prepositional phrase, Name the adjectives, describing nouns and prepositional phrases in a noun phrase
Video lesson: Expanding noun phrases with adjectives, describing nouns and prepositional phrasesComing soon
Story. Ben drew a kite for the school fair. He painted the kite red and blue. The paper kite with a long tail flew over the playground.

A noun phrase can be expanded. A writer adds words that give more detail about the noun. Build it up in layers:

LayerWhat it addsExample
the nounthe main wordthe kite
add an adjectivewhat the noun is likethe red kite
add a describing nounwhat sort of thing it isthe red paper kite
add a prepositional phrasewhich one, or where it isthe red paper kite with a long tail

A prepositional phrase starts with a preposition, such as on, in, with, under or beside, and the noun phrase that follows it. With a long tail is a prepositional phrase. It has no verb.

A describing noun is a noun that describes another noun. In a paper kite, the word paper tells what sort of kite it is. It comes just before the main noun.

thedeterminerredadjectivepaperdescribing nounkitenounwith a long tailprepositional phrase
Each layer adds more detail. The prepositional phrase comes last, after the main noun.

Key ideas

  • Expand a noun phrase in layers: determiner, adjectives, a describing noun, the main noun, then a prepositional phrase.
  • An adjective describes the noun and comes before it: the red kite.
  • A describing noun comes just before the main noun: the paper kite.
  • A prepositional phrase is a preposition and its noun phrase: on the wall, with a long tail.
  • Add only the detail the reader needs. Too many words can make a noun phrase hard to follow.
Worked example 7.2.1
Copy the prepositional phrase that tells where the goats rested: The goats rested beside the barn.

Method. Find the preposition, then copy it with the noun phrase after it.

  1. Find the preposition. A preposition, such as in, on, under or beside, starts the phrase.
    beside
  2. Add the noun phrase after it. The noun phrase after the preposition completes the phrase.
    beside the barn
  3. Copy the whole phrase. Copy the preposition and every word of the noun phrase after it.
    beside the barn
  4. Write the answer.
    beside the barn

Check. beside starts the phrase, and the noun phrase after it names a place or thing. ✓

Watch out. A prepositional phrase has no verb. It is a preposition and its noun phrase.

Worked example 7.2.2
Which words are the adjectives in the scruffy brown dog?

Method. Find the noun, then the words that describe it.

  1. Find the noun. Dog is the main word; the other words describe it.
    dog
  2. Find the describing words. Scruffy and brown tell what the dog is like, so they are adjectives.
    scruffy, brown
  3. Check the first word. The tells which dog, so it is a determiner, not an adjective.
    the = determiner
  4. Write the answer.
    scruffy and brown

Check. Both words describe the dog. ✓

Watch out. Do not count the determiner as an adjective.

Worked example 7.2.3
Expand the kite with a describing noun, such as paper. Write the new noun phrase.

Method. Build the noun phrase in order: determiner, adjectives, nouns, then the prepositional phrase.

  1. Add the determiner. The determiner comes first in the noun phrase, and it says which one or whose.
    the
  2. Add the describing noun. A noun can describe another noun. It comes just before the main noun.
    the paper
  3. Add the noun. The main noun comes after the words that describe it.
    the paper kite
  4. Write the answer.
    the paper kite

Check. Paper comes just before kite, and it tells what sort of kite. ✓

Watch out. Other describing nouns work too, such as the silk kite. Keep kite as the main noun, at the end.

Watch out

Watch out: do not pile up adjectives and nouns until the reader cannot picture the thing. The tall, thin tree with green leaves is clear. The big tall thin red shiny tree with green leaves and a rope swing is hard to follow.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Play a guessing game. Say a noun, such as the cat, and ask your child to add one word, then a phrase, until you can picture it. Then ask: which words are adjectives, and which phrase tells where?

Exercise 7B  Practice: expanding noun phrases

1
FCopy the prepositional phrase that tells where the cat slept: The cat slept on the warm mat.
2
FWhich word is the preposition in this phrase? a cup with a handle
3
FWrite the adjective in each noun phrase.
(a)the tall tower
(b)a blue hat
(c)those smooth stones
4
FWhich word is a describing noun in this noun phrase? the school gate
5
PSExpand the cake with one adjective and one prepositional phrase. Write the new noun phrase.
6
FWrite the noun phrase with the determiner a, the adjective shiny, the noun coin and the prepositional phrase under the sofa.
7
FCopy the prepositional phrase from each sentence.
(a)The owl sat in the oak tree.
(b)We picnicked beside the old well.
(c)A kite flew over the hill.
8
PSMake the noun phrase the bridge longer, using two adjectives and no prepositional phrase.
9
RAli says that a noun phrase can have only one adjective. Is he right? Explain.
10
FPut these words in the right order to make a noun phrase: red, ball, the.
11
RExpand a bird into a noun phrase with an adjective, a describing noun and a prepositional phrase.
7.3

Pronouns: replacing a noun, and keeping the reference clear

Year 4
Replace a noun phrase with a pronoun: I, he, they before a verb; me, him, them after a verb or a preposition, Choose a noun or a pronoun so that the reader knows who or what is meant
Video lesson: Pronouns: replacing a noun, and keeping the reference clearComing soon
Story. Ruby and I walked to the market with Dad. The stall sold fresh bread. We bought two loaves, and Dad carried them home. Ruby gave the baker a smile, and the baker gave her a free bun.

A pronoun takes the place of a noun or a noun phrase, so the writing does not repeat it. Ruby and I becomes we. The stall becomes it.

Some pronouns come before a verb: I, you, he, she, it, we, they. Others come after a verb or a preposition: me, you, him, her, it, us, them. We say I walked, not me walked.

A pronoun must point clearly to one noun. Ella met Ruby, and she smiled could mean either girl. When a pronoun could be unclear, use the name again. Repeating a name can also help the sentences join up smoothly, which is called cohesion.

PronounWhere it goesExample
I, you, he, she, it, we, theybefore the verbThey walked home.
me, you, him, her, it, us, themafter a verb or a prepositionDad called them.
a name instead of a pronounwhen two people could be meantElla met Ruby, and Ruby smiled.
Ruby and Inoun phrasewepronounwalked home.verb and rest
The pronoun we takes the place of the noun phrase Ruby and I.

Key ideas

  • A pronoun takes the place of a noun or a noun phrase, so the writing does not repeat it.
  • I, you, he, she, it, we and they come before a verb: They walked home.
  • me, you, him, her, it, us and them come after a verb or a preposition: Dad called them.
  • A pronoun must point clearly to one noun. If it could mean two people, use the name again.
Worked example 7.3.1
Replace The gardeners with a pronoun. Write the new sentence: The gardeners planted seeds in the rows.

Method. Replace the noun phrase with a pronoun that matches it.

  1. Find the words to replace. The noun phrase names the person or thing that the pronoun stands for.
    The gardeners
  2. Choose the pronoun. They is the pronoun for more than one person.
    They
  3. Write the new sentence. The pronoun takes the place of the noun phrase, and the rest stays the same.
    They planted seeds in the rows.
  4. Write the answer.
    They planted seeds in the rows.

Check. Read the new sentence aloud: it means the same. ✓

Watch out. Keep the rest of the sentence the same.

Worked example 7.3.2
Sam gave Ben the box, and he opened it. Who might he mean? Rewrite the sentence so the reader is sure.

Method. Find the pronoun, and check which noun it could mean.

  1. Find the pronoun. He could mean Sam or Ben, so the reader cannot be sure.
    he
  2. Use the name. Use the name Ben, so the reader knows who opened the box.
    Ben
  3. Write the new sentence. The rest of the sentence stays the same.
    Sam gave Ben the box, and Ben opened it.
  4. Write the answer.
    Sam gave Ben the box, and Ben opened it.

Check. Now the reader knows that Ben opened the box. ✓

Watch out. Other clear rewrites work too, if they name the person who opened it.

Worked example 7.3.3
Choose the pronoun that fits best: They or Them. Ruby and Amira went home. ___ were tired after the walk.

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

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Decide which word the sentence needs.
    Ruby and Amira went home. ___ were tired after the walk.
  2. Think about the grammar and the meaning. They is the pronoun before the verb were, and it stands for two people.
    Ruby and Amira went home. They were tired after the walk.
  3. Check the other choice. Them comes after a verb or a preposition, so it cannot come before were.
    Ruby and Amira went home. They were tired after the walk.
  4. Write the answer.
    They

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

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

Watch out

Watch out: use me, him, her, us or them after a verb or a preposition: Mum gave it to us, not Mum gave it to we. Before a verb, use I, he, she, we or they.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Read a short passage together. Ask your child to point to each pronoun and say which noun it stands for. Then ask: could it mean anyone else? If so, use the name.

Exercise 7C  Practice: pronouns and clear reference

1
FReplace Mum and I with a pronoun. Write the new sentence: Mum and I are going to the shop.
2
FReplace the parcel with a pronoun. Write the new sentence: Dad opened the parcel.
3
FReplace The children with a pronoun. Write the new sentence: The children washed their hands.
4
FReplace Ali and Ben with a pronoun. Write the new sentence: Mum called Ali and Ben.
5
FChoose the pronoun that fits best: She, Her or Hers. ___ drew a picture of the sea.
6
FMum gave the book to Sam. Choose the pronoun that stands in place of Sam: Mum gave the book to ___. Choose him, he or his.
7
FWrite the pronoun in each sentence.
(a)Please help us tonight.
(b)The sandwich looked tasty, so Sam ate it.
(c)Mum and Dad waved at them.
8
PSAli says: Them went to the park. He says it is right because them replaces the children. Is he right? Explain.
9
PSCorrect the sentence so that the pronoun is right: Sam and me went home.
10
PSRewrite so the reader knows who smiled: Ella met Ruby, and she smiled.
11
RWrite two sentences about Ali and Mia. Use they so that the reader knows who they means.
7.4

Possessive pronouns and determiners: my or mine, her or hers

Year 4
Tell a determiner (my, her, their) from a possessive pronoun (mine, hers, theirs), Use a possessive pronoun that stands alone, with no noun after it
Video lesson: Possessive pronouns and determiners: my or mine, her or hersComing soon
Story. The red car was ours, but the blue bike was theirs. My bike had a bell, and her bike had a basket. Our friends rode their scooters too.

Words that show whose something is come in two kinds.

A determiner such as my, your, his, her, its, our or their comes before a noun: my bike, her basket.

A possessive pronoun such as mine, yours, his, hers, ours or theirs stands alone. No noun follows it: The bike is mine.

The test is simple. Is a noun next? If yes, the word is a determiner. If no, it is a possessive pronoun.

WordDeterminer (a noun follows)Possessive pronoun (no noun follows)
my / minemy bikeThe bike is mine.
your / yoursyour penThe pen is yours.
hishis coatThe coat is his.
her / hersher coatThe coat is hers.
our / oursour houseThe house is ours.
their / theirstheir carThe car is theirs.
my bikedeterminer and nounminepossessive pronoun alone
My comes before the noun bike. Mine stands alone, with no noun after it.

Key ideas

  • A determiner such as my, your, his, her, its, our or their comes before a noun: my bike.
  • A possessive pronoun such as mine, yours, his, hers, ours or theirs stands alone: The bike is mine.
  • His and her can be a determiner or a possessive pronoun. Check whether a noun comes next.
  • Its has no possessive pronoun form, and it never has an apostrophe.
Worked example 7.4.1
Replace my hat with a pronoun. Write the new sentence: This hat is my hat.

Method. Replace the noun phrase with a pronoun that matches it.

  1. Find the words to replace. The noun phrase names the person or thing that the pronoun stands for.
    my hat
  2. Choose the pronoun. Mine stands alone, so no noun follows it, and it replaces my hat.
    mine
  3. Write the new sentence. The pronoun takes the place of the noun phrase, and the rest stays the same.
    This hat is mine.
  4. Write the answer.
    This hat is mine.

Check. Read the new sentence aloud: it means the same. ✓

Watch out. Keep the rest of the sentence the same.

Worked example 7.4.2
Which word is the determiner in this noun phrase? her red scarf

Method. Name the determiner in the phrase.

  1. Look at each word. Find the word that does the job of a determiner.
    her red scarf
  2. Check its job. A noun, scarf, comes after it, so it comes before the noun.
    her
  3. Name it. her is the determiner.
    her
  4. Write the answer.
    her

Check. her does this job. ✓

Worked example 7.4.3
Is the bold word a determiner or a pronoun? That hat is his.

Method. Check whether a noun follows the word.

  1. Look at the word after the bold word. A determiner comes before a noun. A possessive pronoun stands alone.
    his
  2. Decide its job. No noun comes after his, so it stands alone.
    pronoun
  3. Write the answer.
    pronoun

Check. his is a pronoun. ✓

Watch out. Ask: is a noun next? If yes, it is a determiner. If no, it is a pronoun.

Watch out

Watch out: its never has an apostrophe when it means belonging to it: The dog wagged its tail. It's means it is. Possessive pronouns never have an apostrophe either: hers, yours, theirs.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Hold up two things, one yours and one mine. Ask your child: is it my bag, or is the bag mine? The word before a noun is a determiner; the word that stands alone is a possessive pronoun.

Exercise 7D  Practice: determiners and possessive pronouns

1
FReplace our bike with a pronoun. Write the new sentence: The blue bike is our bike.
2
FWork out the job of each bold word.
(a)Is the bold word a determiner or a pronoun? His coat is blue.
(b)Is the bold word a determiner or a pronoun? The coat is his.
(c)Is the bold word a determiner or a pronoun? Their garden is big.
3
FChoose the word that fits best: my or mine. That is ___ coat.
4
FChoose the word that fits best: my or mine. The coat is ___.
5
FChoose the word that fits best: your or yours. The books are ___, I think.
6
PSRewrite this sentence, using a possessive pronoun instead of the words that say who owns the pencil: This pencil belongs to me.
7
FReplace their tent with a pronoun. Write the new sentence: The big tent is their tent.
8
FChoose the word that fits best: its or it's. The dog wagged ___ tail.
9
RRuby says that his is always a determiner. Is she right? Explain, using That hat is his.
10
PSWrite one sentence where her is a determiner, and one where hers is a possessive pronoun.
11
RWrite a sentence with two possessive pronouns in it, such as mine and theirs.
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
Video lesson: Standard English verb forms: we were, I did, I sawComing soon
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.
7.6

The present perfect in contrast to the past tense

Year 4
Form the present perfect with have or has and a past participle, Choose the past tense for a finished time, and the present perfect for something that matters now
Video lesson: The present perfect in contrast to the past tenseComing soon
Story. Sam has finished his model of a castle. Yesterday he painted the walls. Mia has already seen it, and she says it looks great. Last week, they visited the museum.

The past tense tells what happened at a finished time: Sam painted the walls yesterday.

The present perfect is made with have or has and a past participle, such as seen, gone or eaten. It shows something that has happened and matters now, or something that happened at a time we do not name: Sam has finished his model.

Use have with I, you, we and they. Use has with he, she, it and a single name.

VerbPast tense (finished time)Past participle (with have or has)
seesawseen
dodiddone
eatateeaten
gowentgone
writewrotewritten
taketooktaken
givegavegiven
breakbrokebroken
beginbeganbegun
playplayedplayed
hashave or hasfinishedpast participlehis model.rest of sentence
Has is the helping word, and finished is the past participle.

Key ideas

  • The past tense tells what happened at a finished time: yesterday, last week, in 2020.
  • The present perfect is have or has plus a past participle: have seen, has gone.
  • Use has with he, she, it and a single name; use have with I, you, we and they.
  • Do not use a finished time, such as yesterday, with the present perfect.
  • Words such as already, just, ever, never and yet often go with the present perfect.
Worked example 7.6.1
Choose the form that fits best: finished or has finished. Yesterday, Sam ___ his model.

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

  1. Read the sentence with the gap. Decide which word the sentence needs.
    Yesterday, Sam ___ his model.
  2. Think about the grammar and the meaning. Yesterday is a finished time, so the past tense is used.
    Yesterday, Sam finished his model.
  3. Check the other choice. Has finished cannot go with a finished time such as yesterday.
    Yesterday, Sam finished his model.
  4. Write the answer.
    finished

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

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

Worked example 7.6.2
Write the present perfect of the verb eat with they. Start your answer with They.

Method. Use they with have, and the past participle of eat.

  1. Choose have or has. They takes have, not has.
    have
  2. Find the past participle. The past participle of eat is eaten, not ate.
    eaten
  3. Put them together. They is the subject, then have and the participle.
    They have eaten.
  4. Write the answer.
    They have eaten.

Check. Have goes with they, and the participle is eaten. ✓

Watch out. Ate is the past tense. It cannot follow have.

Worked example 7.6.3
Correct the sentence so that it uses Standard English: I have went to the park.

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

  1. Read the sentence. Check the form of each verb.
    I have went to the park.
  2. Find the wrong form. The past participle of go is gone, not went.
    went -> gone
  3. Write the correct sentence. Read it aloud. It now uses the Standard English form.
    I have gone to the park.
  4. Write the answer.
    I have gone to the park.

Check. Read the corrected sentence aloud. ✓

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

Watch out

Watch out: have gone, not have went; have seen, not have saw. The past participle always follows have or has. A finished time such as yesterday needs the past tense: Ella saw the film yesterday.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child: has this happened, and does it matter now? If it has, use have or has. If the time is finished, such as yesterday or last week, use the past tense.

Exercise 7F  Practice: the present perfect and the past tense

1
FChoose the form that fits best: visited or have visited. Last week we ___ the museum.
2
FChoose the form that fits best: visited or have visited. We ___ the museum twice so far.
3
FWrite the past participle of each verb.
(a)see
(b)write
(c)take
4
FChoose the word that fits best: has or have. The boys ___ gone home.
5
FCorrect the sentence so that it uses Standard English: We have ate our lunch.
6
FCorrect the sentence so that it uses Standard English: She has broke the cup.
7
FWhich sentence is correct? A: Ruby has saw the sea. B: Ruby has seen the sea.
8
FChoose the form that fits best: has cooked or cooked. Dad ___ lunch at one o'clock yesterday.
9
RAli writes: I have finished my homework yesterday. Is he right? Explain.
10
PSWrite one sentence with has and already about someone who has finished a task.
11
RExplain the difference between Sam broke the window last week. and Sam has broken the window.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
Noun phraseA noun and the words that go with it: the tall tree.
DeterminerComes first and tells which one or whose: the, a, this, these, my, their.
Expanding a noun phraseAdd adjectives, a describing noun and a prepositional phrase: the red paper kite on the wall.
PronounTakes the place of a noun phrase: I, he, them. It must point to one clear noun.
Possessive pronounStands alone, with no noun after it: mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs.
Standard English verbsIn writing: we were, I did, I saw, they came. Not: we was, I done, I seen.
Present perfectHave or has plus a past participle: I have eaten, she has gone. No finished time word.
Past tenseA finished time, such as yesterday or last week: I ate lunch at noon.

Can you…?

  • I can find a noun phrase, and name its determiner and noun
  • I can expand a noun phrase with an adjective, a describing noun and a prepositional phrase
  • I can replace a noun phrase with a pronoun, and check that the pronoun points to one clear noun
  • I can tell a determiner from a possessive pronoun by whether a noun follows
  • I can use the Standard English verb forms in writing: we were, I did, I saw
  • I can choose the present perfect or the past tense by the time word

Key terms

noun phrase
a noun and the words that go with it, such as the tall tree
determiner
a word that comes before a noun and tells which one or whose, such as the, this or my
pronoun
a word that takes the place of a noun or noun phrase, such as he, them or it
possessive pronoun
a pronoun that shows who owns something and stands alone, such as mine, yours or theirs
prepositional phrase
a preposition and the noun phrase after it, such as on the wall
describing noun
a noun that describes another noun, such as paper in the paper kite
Standard English
the form of English used in most writing, with verb forms such as we were and I did
past participle
the form of a verb used after have or has, such as seen, gone or eaten
present perfect
have or has with a past participle, such as have seen or has gone
cohesion
how well the sentences in a text join together, so that the text reads smoothly

Exercise 7Z  Check-up

1
Which word is the determiner in this noun phrase? those red apples
2
Copy the prepositional phrase that tells where the farmer walked: The farmer walked beside the river.
3
Write the noun phrase with the determiner my, the adjective favourite and the noun jumper.
4
Replace The twins with a pronoun. Write the new sentence: The twins laughed loudly.
5
Choose the word that fits best: this or these. ___ bridge is very old.
6
Is the bold word a determiner or a pronoun? Her hat is red.
7
Choose the word that fits best: was or were. Ben and Ruby ___ in the garden.
8
Correct the sentence so that it uses Standard English: I done my best, and Mum seen it.
9
Write the present perfect of go with I. Write the words only.
10
Rewrite the sentence so the reader knows who was late: Mia met Ellie, and she was late.

Total 19 marks. Allow about 19 minutes.

Exercise 7X  Practice test questions

1
FWrite the determiner in this noun phrase. a hungry goat[1 mark]
2
FChoose the word that fits best: was or were. The players ___ tired after the match.[1 mark]
3
FChoose the word that fits best: has or have. Ruby ___ already finished her picture.[1 mark]
4
FCopy the noun phrase that names the thing that Ben found: Ben found a silver key under the mat.[2 marks]
5
FReplace Ella and Ben with a pronoun. Write the new sentence: Ella and Ben built a den.[2 marks]
6
FRewrite this sentence with a possessive pronoun in place of the words in bold: This jacket belongs to us.[2 marks]
7
FCorrect the sentence so that it uses Standard English: We was late, so Dad done the cooking.[2 marks]
8
FChoose the word that fits best: went or gone. Sam has ___ to the shop.[2 marks]
9
PSWrite two sentences about a holiday. In the first, use the past tense with yesterday. In the second, use the present perfect with already.[3 marks]
10
RAli writes: Ella has seen the film yesterday. Explain why this is wrong, and rewrite the sentence correctly.[3 marks]
← Chapter 6: Fronted adverbials and connecting wordsChapter 8: Reading fiction and vocabulary →

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