Got a Verb Phrase?

-Karen Peterson

What is a Verb Phrase?

A verb phrase consists of two things: 1. The main verb2. A helping verb

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

Main verbHelping verb

What is a Verb Phrase?A verb phrase can be thought of like a boy and raft.

Helping verb

Main verb

The boy (main verb) could float in the water by himself…but the raft (helping verb) makes it better for him.

It’s important to know the common helping verbs:DoDidDoesAm areIsWas WereHaveHas

HadCanMayWill beWill haveCan beCan haveMust have Must have been

Can haveCould beCould haveWill have beenMight haveMight have been

Let’s test your verb phrase knowledge…

A. hadB. been sleepingC. been sleeping inD. had been sleeping

Select the verb phrase in the following sentence:

Matthew had been sleeping in his bed.

Oops…Let’s Review Verb Phrases!

A verb phrase consists of two things: 1. The main verb2. A helping verb

Example: Molly is talking to Billy.

Main verbHelping verb

I’m ready to try again!

I need more review.

Show me the common helping verbs

Common Helping Verbs

DoDidDoesAm areIsWas WereHaveHas

HadCanMayWill beWill haveCan beCan haveMust have Must have been

Can haveCould beCould haveWill have beenMight haveMight have been

I’m ready to try again.

More Review…

Look at these sentences: 1. Monica did go to the store.

did = helping verb

go=main verb

2.Juli is driving to the high school.

is = helping verb

driving=main verb

3. “I want to eat a peach,” said Marcy.

to = helping verb

eat=main verb

3. Mr. Gowell did teach students to use the internet.

did = helping verb

teaching=main verb

Let’s do it! I’m ready.

FANTASTIC….Let’s try another!

A. isB. givingC. is givingD. giving present

Select the verb phrase in the following sentence:

Sarah is giving a present to Mark.

Sorry…Here’s another example!

A verb phrase consists of two things: 1. The main verb2. A helping verb

Example: Molly had to go to Billy.

Main verbHelping verbs

I’m ready to try again!

I need more review. Note: Sometimes a helping verb is more than one word too!

Please show me common verb phrases.

Common Helping Verbs

DoDidDoesAm areIsWas WereHaveHas

HadCanMayWill beWill haveCan beCan haveMust have Must have been

Can haveCould beCould haveWill have beenMight haveMight have been

I’m ready to try again.

More Review…

Look at these sentences: 1. Monica did go to the store.

did = helping verb

go=main verb

2.Juli is driving to the high school.

is = helping verb

driving=main verb

3. “I want to eat a peach,” said Marcy.

to = helping verb

eat=main verb

3. Mr. Gowell did teach students to use the internet.

did = helping verb

teaching=main verb

Let’s do it! I’m ready.

Wow! You’re Good….Here’s another!

A. did goB. did go toC. goD. go to

Select the verb phrase in the following sentence:

The girls’ basketball team did go to state.

More Review…

Look at these sentences: 1. Monica did go to the store.

did = helping verb

go=main verb

2.Juli is driving to the high school.

is = helping verb

driving=main verb

3. “I want to eat a peach,” said Marcy.

to = helping verb

eat=main verb

3. Mr. Gowell did teach students to use the internet.

did = helping verb

teaching=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