Verbs – Past, Present, Future 23 Helping Verbs Action Verbs Verbs – Past, Present, Future 23 Helping Verbs jump

What is an action verb? A verb is one of the most important parts of the sentence. It tells the subject’s actions, events, or state of being. It is always found in the predicate of a sentence. A verb that shows action is called an action verb.

These words are action verbs: ran coughed swallowed ride sang awaken

Can you find the action verb in each sentence? The girls danced in the recital. Our mailman drove a funny car last week. His teacher wrote the answers on the board. Alice worked on her homework last night. Move On

No, try again.

Yes, that word is an action verb! Try another sentence Move On

Present verbs An action verb that describes an action that is happening now is called a present tense verb. The bird flies through the sky. Flies is a present tense verb because it is happening right now.

Many present tense verbs end with s, but some end with es, or ies. cries sleeps splashes

Past Verbs Verbs which tell about actions which happened some time ago are past tense verbs. The dog wanted a bone. Wanted is a past tense verb because the action has already happened.

Many past tense verbs end with ed, but some end with d, or ied. clapped tried played

Future Verbs Verbs which tell about actions which are going to happen are future tense verbs. We will awaken at six a.m. Will awaken is a future tense verb because the action has not yet happened.

Future tense verbs Future tense verbs use special words to talk about things that will happen: will, going to, shall, aim to, etc. going to start will enjoy shall email

Helping Verbs Elmer was using the computer. A helping verb works with a main verb to help you understand what action is taking place. Elmer was using the computer.

A verb phrase is a phrase that consists of at least one helping verb followed by a main verb. 14

The story of Mr. Do GOAL: Learn the 23 Helping Verbs. The title of the story is Mr. Do.  Like some stories, this story has a moral. The moral is: "Maybe Mr. Do should have a will." Read on and you will see why! 15

Once upon a time there was a famous, Hollywood mouse named Mr. Do. Mr Once upon a time there was a famous, Hollywood mouse named Mr. Do. Mr. Do was very rich. Unfortunately, he was very ill too.

His many relatives were dreaming of the day the sick mouse would die His many relatives were dreaming of the day the sick mouse would die. They wondered which one of them would inherit his money.

Finally, one day Mr. Do did die Finally, one day Mr. Do did die. All the relatives searched his house for a will. They didn't find one. They searched his house three times. They still did not find a will. The relatives did not get one dime of Mr. Do's fortune.

So what’s the moral? Maybe Mr. Do should have a will. Just remember this sentence and you will know how to set up a chart of the 23 helping verbs!  The largest "family" is the "BE" family with eight members. The other five families have three members each.

23 Helping Verbs may might must be being been am are is was were do does did should could would have had has will can shall

Notice how helping verbs work together with main verbs to TEAMWORK Notice how helping verbs work together with main verbs to make a complete verb phrase.

EXAMPLES: is leaving may become might have remained had seemed would move might have thought should be going does sing

Sometimes the parts of a verb phrase are separated by other words. Did you hear President Bush’s speech? Has the D.J. played the new CD for you? She had always been thinking of her future. We could never have moved the bleachers.

Other things to keep in mind Not every sentence will have a helping verb with the main verb. When you see an "ing" verb such as "running", be on the lookout for a helping verb also. A sentence may contain up to three helping verbs to the main verb. An example would be: The dog must have been chasing the cat.

Other things to remember The word “not” is always an adverb. It is never a part of the verb phrase even when it is part of a contraction. Examples: He should not have borrowed his book. He shouldn’t have borrowed his book.

Helping Verbs Song Helping verbs, helping verbs, there are 23! Am, is, are, Was and were, Being, been and be! Have, has, had, Do, does, did, Shall, should, will, and would! There are five more helping verbs: May, might, must, can, could! Video from YouTube Video from WatchKnowLearn

It’s your turn to practice. Fill in the chart. Complete page 140 in your Practice Book.

23 Helping Verbs May Be Do Should Will   Online Quiz