Plural and Singular Verbs
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Basics on the topic Plural and Singular Verbs
Plural and Singular Verbs – Explained
Verbs are action words in the English language. They help us describe what a person, animal or object is doing. Some examples of the verbs are: run, think, open, forget, stay.
Today we will learn everything about plural and singular verbs.
Plural and Singular Verbs – Definition
First, let’s define what the singular form and the plural form of verbs are.
Plural verbs are the verbs that are used in sentences with plural subjects (nouns or pronouns). It means that the sentence describes more than one person or thing.
For example:
The sentence "The cats play together" describes more than one cat. This sentence has plural subjects, and we need to use a plural verb here.
| Plural noun | Plural verb | Object |
|---|---|---|
| The cats | play | together. |
Singular verbs are the verbs that are used in sentences with a singular subject. They describe an action of one person or thing.
For example:
The sentence "The girl skates on her skateboard" describes one girl. This sentence contains a singular subject, and therefore we use a singular verb here.
| Singular noun | Singular verb | Object |
|---|---|---|
| The girl | skates | on her skateboard. |
Forming Plural Verbs from Singular Verbs
Remember: If the singular subject of the sentence can be replaced by a personal pronoun in its third person singular, you need to add a suffix -s at the end of the verb. If you need to transform a singular verb form into a plural verb form, this suffix -s disappears. Look at this example of singular and plural verbs from sentences above.
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| It plays | They play |
| She skates | They skate |
Just by adding one letter -s we change the meaning of the verb and make it singular. Now we can use these verbs with singular and plural nouns. To use nouns with verbs in their singular and plural forms correctly, we need to follow certain steps.
| Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Find the verb. | Find who the sentence is about. Is it about one person or a group of people? |
Use a plural verb, if it is about many people or objects. Add -s and make a singular verb if it is about one person or thing. |
Plural and Singular Verbs – Summary
We can use verbs in singular and plural. We use a plural verb when the sentence describes more than one person or thing. We use a singular verb when the sentence describes an action performed by one person or object. To find the correct verb form, we need to find the verb and identify who the sentence is talking about. If the subject is a single person, animal or object, you need a singular verb form. If the subject is more than one person, animal or object, you need a plural verb form.
Now you know everything about singular and plural verbs! You can download our singular and plural verbs worksheets with a singular and plural verbs list or try our singular and plural verbs exercises.
Frequently Asked Questions about Plural and Singular Verbs
Plural and Singular Verbs exercise
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What is a verb?
HintsA verb does not describe a person or thing.
Knowing this, which choices can you eliminate?
A verb tells us what someone or something is doing.
Here are some examples of verbs:
run, jump, write
Verbs can be both singular and plural.
SolutionA verb is an action word.
Verbs tell you what people, animals and things are doing in the story.
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What happens on the farm?
HintsIdentify who each sentence is about.
The first sentence is about the dogs.
Is the word dogs singular or plural?
Singular means one. Plural means many.
The word dogs is plural.
So, the verb run must also be plural.
SolutionPlural (green):
- The dogs run in the yard.
- The carrots grow in the dirt.
Singular (blue):
- The bird eats a worm.
- A boy milks the cow.
-
What are the animals doing?
HintsThe cat is singular. Which verbs in the list are singular?
Remember: singular verbs have an s at the end. Plural verbs do not.
Read the sentences aloud to check your work.
SolutionThe cat:
- eats.
- sleeps.
- hides.
- jump.
- play.
- drink.
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What are they doing?
HintsFirst, pick the verb from the word bank that matches the picture.
Then, find out who the sentence is about.
Is it about one animal (singular) or more than one (plural)?
Choose the singular verb if the sentence is only about one animal.
Remember: singular verbs have an s at the end.
The word 'fish' can be singular or plural.
Look at the number of fish in the image to help!
SolutionThe fish swim in the tank.
- Plural. There are multiple fish in the tank.
The frog sits on the pad.
- Singular. There is only one frog.
The friends climb on the wall.
- Plural. There are two friends on the wall.
Ernie reads a book.
- Singular. There is only one sloth, Ernie, in the picture.
-
Complete the sentences.
HintsStart by finding out who or what is doing the action in the story.
Remember, it can be a person or a thing.
In the first sentence, the cars are driving.
Is the word cars singular or plural?
The word cars is plural. Can you find a plural verb in the word bank?
Remember: singular verbs have an s at the end. Plural verbs do not.
Solution1.The cars drive fast. This verb is plural.
- The first sentence is plural because cars is plural.
2.Mum tells a story. This verb is singular.
- The second sentence is singular because mum is singular.
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Correct Koko's homework.
HintsFirst, read the sentence aloud. Identify who or what the sentence is about.
If the person or thing is singular, the verb must also be singular.
If the person or thing is plural, the verb must also be plural.
Singular verbs have an s at the end.
SolutionAll errors are highlighted in red in the image above.
The correct answers are:
- The kids cook apple pie.
- Grandma slices the cake.
- The witches dance at night.
- The bird sings in the morning.
- A cup falls off the table.
- The stars shine in the sky.
- He plays video games.
- They jump in the pool.
