Should you write “She play cricket” or “She plays cricket”? The correct sentence is “She plays cricket.” The verb must agree with the subject of the sentence.
This subject verb agreement worksheet for Class 6 will help you practise choosing the correct verb. Start with the simple rules below, then complete the 30 questions. An answer key is included so you can check your work.
What Is Subject Verb Agreement?
Subject verb agreement means using a verb form that matches the subject in person and number.
The subject tells us who or what the sentence is about. The verb expresses an action or a state of being.
Look at these examples:
| Subject | Verb | Complete sentence |
|---|---|---|
| The boy | runs | The boy runs every morning. |
| The boys | run | The boys run every morning. |
| She | is | She is ready. |
| They | are | They are ready. |
In the simple present tense, most verbs take -s or -es with he, she, it, or a singular noun. With I, you, we, and they, use the base form.
For example:
- I read a book.
- You read a book.
- She reads a book.
- The students read a book.
Subject Verb Agreement Rules for Class 6
1. Use -s or -es with a singular third-person subject
When the subject is he, she, it, or a singular noun, most simple present verbs end in -s or -es.
Examples:
- Riya sings beautifully.
- My brother watches cartoons.
- The bus stops near our school.
2. Use the base verb with plural subjects
Plural subjects usually take the base form of the verb in the simple present tense.
Examples:
- The children play outside.
- My friends walk to school.
- Birds build nests.
3. Choose am, is, and are carefully
The verb be has special forms.
| Subject | Correct form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | am | I am excited. |
| He, she, it, singular noun | is | The classroom is clean. |
| You, we, they, plural noun | are | The classrooms are clean. |
Remember that you always takes are, even when you are speaking to one person.
4. Use has and have correctly
Use has with he, she, it, and singular nouns. Use have with I, you, we, they, and plural nouns.
Examples:
- She has a blue bag.
- We have English homework.
- The elephant has a long trunk.
5. Two separate subjects joined by “and” usually take a plural verb
When two different people or things are joined by and, use a plural verb.
Examples:
- Rohan and Aman are classmates.
- A pen and a notebook are on the desk.
- My sister and I enjoy painting.
6. Words such as everyone and each take singular verbs
Use a singular verb with everyone, everybody, someone, each, and every when they form a singular subject.
Examples:
- Everyone is present.
- Each student has a notebook.
- Every child needs encouragement.
7. Find the main subject before choosing the verb
Words between the subject and the verb can be confusing. The verb agrees with the main subject, not simply the noun closest to it.
Examples:
- The box of pencils is on the table.
- The students in my class are helpful.
- One of my friends lives nearby.
In the first sentence, the subject is box, which is singular. That is why we use is, even though “pencils” is plural.
Subject Verb Agreement Worksheet for Class 6
Name: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Instructions: Complete all three exercises before looking at the answers. Give yourself one mark for each correct answer.
Exercise A: Choose the Correct Verb
- My sister ______ to school every day. (walk / walks)
- The boys ______ football after school. (play / plays)
- I ______ ready for the lesson. (am / is)
- The flowers ______ fresh. (is / are)
- Rohan ______ a new pencil box. (has / have)
- We ______ our homework before dinner. (finish / finishes)
- The dog ______ at strangers. (bark / barks)
- You ______ very helpful. (is / are)
- My parents ______ tea in the morning. (drink / drinks)
- The baby ______ peacefully. (sleep / sleeps)
Exercise B: Fill in the Blanks
Write the correct simple present form of the verb given in brackets.
- Each student ______ a library card. (have)
- The books on the shelf ______ mine. (be)
- My mother ______ delicious meals. (cook)
- Riya and Neha ______ near the school. (live)
- Everyone ______ a fair chance. (deserve)
- The basket of apples ______ on the counter. (be)
- One of my cousins ______ chess well. (play)
- These children ______ help with the project. (need)
- Every classroom ______ two doors. (have)
- The teacher ______ the lesson clearly. (explain)
Exercise C: Correct the Mistakes
Rewrite each sentence using the correct verb.
- She go to the park every evening.
- The students is waiting outside.
- My brother have a bicycle.
- Everyone know the answer.
- The box of crayons are on the desk.
- My friends enjoys playing badminton.
- You was absent yesterday.
- Riya and her sister studies together.
- Each child have a water bottle.
- One of the windows are open.
Answer Key
Exercise A Answers
| Question | Answer | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | walks | 6 | finish |
| 2 | play | 7 | barks |
| 3 | am | 8 | are |
| 4 | are | 9 | drink |
| 5 | has | 10 | sleeps |
Exercise B Answers
| Question | Answer | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | has | 16 | is |
| 12 | are | 17 | plays |
| 13 | cooks | 18 | need |
| 14 | live | 19 | has |
| 15 | deserves | 20 | explains |
Exercise C Answers
- She goes to the park every evening.
- The students are waiting outside.
- My brother has a bicycle.
- Everyone knows the answer.
- The box of crayons is on the desk.
- My friends enjoy playing badminton.
- You were absent yesterday.
- Riya and her sister study together.
- Each child has a water bottle.
- One of the windows is open.
Why these answers?
- Question 17: The subject is “one,” so the correct verb is plays.
- Question 25: The subject is “box,” not “crayons,” so use is.
- Question 27: In the simple past tense, “you” takes were.
- Question 30: “One” is singular, so use is.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Adding -s to a verb after a plural subject
Incorrect: The girls sings.
Correct: The girls sing.
An -s often makes a noun plural, but it usually marks a third-person singular verb in the simple present tense.
Using a plural verb with “everyone”
Incorrect: Everyone are happy.
Correct: Everyone is happy.
Although “everyone” refers to several people, it takes a singular verb.
Matching the verb with the nearest noun
Incorrect: The bag of marbles are heavy.
Correct: The bag of marbles is heavy.
Ask yourself, “What is heavy?” The answer is the bag, so the verb must be singular.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I identify the subject of a sentence?
Find the verb, then ask who or what performs the action or is being described. In “The children laugh,” ask, “Who laughs?” The subject is the children.
Does “I” take a singular verb?
“I” has its own agreement pattern. Write I am, I have, and I play. Do not write “I is,” “I has,” or “I plays.”
Does subject verb agreement apply to the past tense?
Most simple past verbs do not change with the subject: “She played” and “They played.” The verb be does change: use I/he/she/it was and you/we/they were.
How can I improve my subject verb agreement?
Underline the subject before choosing the verb. Check whether it is singular or plural, then read the complete sentence. Review any mistakes and write one new example using the same rule.
