WHAT IS A VERB PHRASE?

A VERB PHRASE CONSISTS OF TWO THINGS:

1. THE MAIN VERB
2. A HELPING VERB

Helping verb Main verb

Example: The brown cow is jumping over the rusty fence.

WHAT IS A VERB PHRASE?
A verb phrase can be thought of like a boy and raft.

Main verb

Helping verb

The boy (main verb) could float in the water by himself…but

the raft (helping verb) makes it better for him.
LET’S TEST YOUR VERB PHRASE
KNOWLEDGE…
Select the verb phrase in the following sentence:

Matthew had been sleeping in his bed.

A. HAD
B. BEEN SLEEPING
C. BEEN SLEEPING IN
D. HAD BEEN SLEEPING
WHAT DOES A MAIN VERB DO?
The main verb expresses the chief idea in the verb
phrase. The other verbs are there only to help it

The main verb is always the last verb in the phrase.

(Tip: After the helping verbs have and be, the form of
the main verb almost always changes.)
In addition to acting as helping
verbs, be, do and have can occur alone as main verbs:

I was at the arcade. [was is a main verb]

I was working at the arcade. [was is a helping
verb; working is the main verb]

Lars often did the bed before school. [did is a main

verb]
Lars didn’t do the bed . [did (negative) is a helping
verb; do is the main verb]

Alex and Cara have the keys. [have is a main verb]

Alex and Cara have gone. [have is a helping
verb; gone is the main verb]
 MODAL
There are 10 principal modal verbs:
can, could
shall, should
will, would
may, might
must
ought [+ to + main verb]
Unlike the primary helping verbs, modal verbs do not change their
form to agree with different subjects. For example, can, does not
change no matter what subject it follows:
I can go you can go he can go
we can go
 to create emphasis:
Rivka does plan to attend, after all.

We do need a new couch, no matter what you think!

I did walk the dog.

 to form a negative verb:

The children did not (or didn't) see the end of the
hockey game.

We have not (or haven't) finished yet.

Please do not (or don't) open this window.

The mail will not (or won't) go out until tomorrow.

 to form the passive voice

were introduced
have been introduced
is being introduced
will be introduced
would have been introduced

 to add an idea:

must read [necessity]

can read [ability]
can read, may read [permission]
could read, may read, might read [possibility]
ought to read, should read [advisability]
OOPS…LET’S REVIEW VERB
PHRASES!
A verb phrase consists of two things:
1. The main verb
2. A helping verb

Helping verb Main verb

Example: Molly is talking to Billy.

MORE REVIEW…
LOOK AT THESE SENTENCES:

1. Monica did go to the store. 3. “I didn’t eat a peach,” said Marcy.

did = helping verb did = helping verb
go=main verb eat=main verb

2.Juli is driving to the high school. 3. Mr. Gowell has tought students how to use the
is = helping verb internet.

driving=main verb has = helping verb

Tought =main verb

Let’s do it! I’m ready.

 YOU’RE A
VERB PHRASE
MASTER!

For more verb practice – Check this out: http://www.quia.com/pop/8096.html