Let's solve this grammar exercise step by step. The task is to choose the correct verb form from the brackets to complete each sentence in the
Simple Present Tense.
We need to consider:
- Subject-verb agreement (singular vs. plural subjects)
- Use of "am", "is", "are" for the verb "to be"
- Third-person singular verbs end in "-s" or "-es" when the subject is he, she, it, or a singular noun
---
1. Mr Bala (am, is, are) my English teacher.
-
Subject: Mr Bala → singular
- Correct verb:
is
✔ Answer: is
> Mr Bala
is my English teacher.
---
2. Miss Jones (help, helps) my husband in keeping the accounts.
-
Subject: Miss Jones → singular (she)
- Verb must be third-person singular →
helps
✔ Answer: helps
> Miss Jones
helps my husband...
---
3. The nurse (give, gives) him an injection every morning.
-
Subject: The nurse → singular
- So we use
gives
✔ Answer: gives
> The nurse
gives him an injection...
---
4. The bell (ring, rings) when it is time for prayer.
-
Subject: The bell → singular
- So we use
rings
✔ Answer: rings
> The bell
rings when it is time for prayer.
---
5. People (need, needs) fresh air to survive.
-
Subject: People → plural
- So we use
need
✔ Answer: need
> People
need fresh air to survive.
---
6. The alarm (go, goes) off at exactly half-past five.
-
Subject: The alarm → singular
- So we use
goes
✔ Answer: goes
> The alarm
goes off at exactly half-past five.
---
7. I (keep, keeps) myself busy all the time.
-
Subject: I → first person singular
- Verbs after "I" do not take -s
- So we use
keep
✔ Answer: keep
> I
keep myself busy all the time.
---
8. Our relatives (travel, travels) from Europe to visit us.
-
Subject: Our relatives → plural
- So we use
travel
✔ Answer: travel
> Our relatives
travel from Europe...
---
9. The chef (cook, cooks) for the King and Queen of Belgium.
-
Subject: The chef → singular
- So we use
cooks
✔ Answer: cooks
> The chef
cooks for the King and Queen...
---
10. She (iron, irons) the clothes once a week.
-
Subject: She → third-person singular
- So we use
irons
✔ Answer: irons
> She
irons the clothes once a week.
---
✔ Final Answers:
1.
is
2.
helps
3.
gives
4.
rings
5.
need
6.
goes
7.
keep
8.
travel
9.
cooks
10.
irons
---
📝 Explanation Summary:
-
Singular subjects (he, she, it, Mr., Miss, the nurse, the bell, etc.) take
third-person singular verbs (add -s or -es).
-
Plural subjects (people, relatives) take base form of the verb (no -s).
-
"I" uses base form (no -s).
-
"To be" verbs: I am, he/she/it is, they/we are.
This exercise reinforces
subject-verb agreement in the
simple present tense.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of present tense verb worksheet for 3rd grade.
