Using the Correct Subject or Verb 📝

When writing sentences, it is important to make sure the subject and verb match correctly. This means the verb must agree with the subject in number and person. If you use the wrong subject or verb, your sentence might sound confusing or incorrect. Let’s learn how to use the correct subject or verb, which is an important skill in Year 6 English following the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum.

What is the Subject? 👤

The subject of a sentence is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about. For example:

  • “The dog runs fast.”

Here, the dog is the subject.

What is the Verb? 🔍

The verb is the action word or the state of being in the sentence. For example:

  • “The dog runs fast.”

Here, runs is the verb.

Matching Subjects and Verbs ⚖️

The main rule is the subject and the verb have to agree. This means:

  • If the subject is singular (one person, place, or thing), the verb usually ends with -s or -es in the present tense. For example:
    • He plays football.
    • She washes the car.
  • If the subject is plural (more than one), the verb does not end with -s or -es. For example:
    • They play football.
    • The cars wash themselves (not common but just an example).

Examples of Correct Subject-Verb Agreement ✔️

  • The cat jumps on the wall. (“cat” is singular, so verb ends in -s)
  • The cats jump on the wall. (“cats” is plural, so verb does not end in -s)
  • My friends are coming to the party.
  • She is happy today.

Common Mistakes to Avoid ❌

  • Using a singular verb with a plural subject:

    Wrong: The birds sings in the tree.

    Correct: The birds sing in the tree.
  • Using a plural verb with a singular subject:

    Wrong: The dog run fast.

    Correct: The dog runs fast.

Tips to Remember 💡

  • Find the subject first. Ask: Who or what is doing the action?
  • Check if the subject is singular or plural.
  • Change the verb to match the subject.

Practice Makes Perfect 🎯

Try writing sentences and checking if the subject and verb agree. You can also spot mistakes by reading your work aloud. If a sentence sounds odd, it might be because the subject and verb don’t match!

Using the correct subject and verb helps your writing sound clear and makes it easier for others to understand your ideas. Keep practising, and soon it will become easy!

Practice Questions: Using the Correct Subject or Verb ✍️

Here are 20 examination-style questions on using the correct subject or verb for Year 6 students, with answers included. These questions will help you practise how to choose the right subject-verb agreement in sentences.

Questions ❓

  1. Choose the correct verb:
    The dog (is/are) barking loudly.
  2. Choose the correct subject:
    (My friend / My friends) likes to play football.
  3. Fill in the blank with the correct verb:
    There (are / is) many books on the table.
  4. Choose the correct verb:
    She (goes / go) to school every day.
  5. Fill in the blank with the correct subject:
    (The children / The child) is waiting for the bus.
  6. Choose the correct verb:
    The team (was / were) very excited after the match.
  7. Fill in the blank with the correct verb:
    Either the cat or the dog (has / have) eaten the food.
  8. Choose the correct subject:
    (The teacher / The teachers) gives homework every week.
  9. Fill in the blank with the correct verb:
    My brother and sister (are / is) playing in the garden.
  10. Choose the correct verb:
    Each of the students (has / have) a pencil.
  11. Fill in the blank with the correct subject:
    (Both the boys / Both boy) want to join the club.
  12. Choose the correct verb:
    The news (is / are) very interesting today.
  13. Fill in the blank with the correct verb:
    The group of friends (is / are) going to the park.
  14. Choose the correct subject:
    (That cat / Those cats) is very friendly.
  15. Fill in the blank with the correct verb:
    Every morning, she (takes / take) the bus to school.
  16. Choose the correct verb:
    Neither of the answers (is / are) correct.
  17. Fill in the blank with the correct subject:
    (The pair of shoes / The pairs of shoes) is new.
  18. Choose the correct verb:
    Most of the water (has / have) spilled on the floor.
  19. Fill in the blank with the correct verb:
    The number of people (has / have) increased this year.
  20. Choose the correct subject:
    (Several kids / Several kid) have left early today.

Answers ✅

  1. is
  2. My friend
  3. are
  4. goes
  5. The children
  6. was
  7. has
  8. The teacher
  9. are
  10. has
  11. Both the boys
  12. is
  13. is
  14. That cat
  15. takes
  16. is
  17. The pair of shoes
  18. has
  19. has
  20. Several kids

Keep practising these types of questions to improve your understanding of using the correct subject and verb in sentences!