Was or Were? Subject-Verb Agreement Activity

Being able write clauses with correct subject-verb agreement is a key grammatical skill. The use of the words ‘was’ and ‘were’ may seem like a small detail, but students truly struggle with the concept. This set of task cards allows students to practise this skill and receive feedback on their sentence structure.

To use, students read the sentence on the card and complete the sentence using ‘was’ or ‘were’. They record their answers and check for accuracy using the answer key. 

Through this activity, students will gain confidence in writing sentences that follow common subject-verb agreement rules.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource for students to work on as an English Group Activity. 

In addition to individual student work time, use this set of grammar task cards to enhance learning through whole class lessons or remote learning assignments. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

Students can work in pairs to support one another’s learning with this resource. 

Additionally, provide access to previous assignments, as well as posters and anchor charts for students to recall past lessons.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

Encourage fast finishers to continue working on subject-verb agreement by editing and revising their own pieces of writing or by creating additional task cards to go along with the set.

🛴 Scoot Activity

Place the cards around the room in numerical order and give each student a recording sheet. Assign students or pairs to a starting point card. Give students time to review the card and record their answer in the corresponding space on their paper. Students rotate to the next card when you say, “SCOOT!” Continue in this manner until students return to their starting point. 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. A recording sheet and answer key are also included with this download.

Print on thick card for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

To keep the task cards out of pockets or under desks, punch a hole in the corner of each to place them on a binder ring. 

Sustainability Tip: Print a few recording sheets on cardstock and slip them into write and wipe sleeves. Students can record their answers with a whiteboard marker then erase and reuse them. 

This resource was created by Kirstin Sowers, a Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities and resources that cut down on lesson planning time:  

teaching resource Subject-Verb Agreement Concentration and Go Fish Game Improve students' sentence structure with a card game focusing on correct subject-verb agreement. teaching resource Has/Have Subject Verb Agreement Task Cards Practise using ‘has’ and ‘have’ correctly with a set of subject-verb agreement task cards. teaching resource Do/Does Subject Verb Agreement Task Cards Practise using ‘do’ and ‘does’ correctly using a set of subject-verb agreement task cards.