Mrs. Kelly Brown Name That Verb! Helping & Main Verbs Make a Verb Phrase!
A helping verb helps a main verb. The helping verb comes before the main verb.
Helping/Main Verbs I am eating my lunch. Ed has taken the test. We were talking.
Practice Time In the following sentences, see if you can identify the verb.
Ready? Let’s get started!
They are watching television.
Verb Prase: are watching
They are watching television. Helping Verb: are Main Verb: watching
Ann was cooking dinner in the kitchen.
Verb Phrase: was cooking
Ann was cooking dinner in the kitchen. Helping Verb: was Main Verb: watching
The boys were playing in the park.
Verb Phrase: were playing
The boys were playing in the park. Helping Verb: were Main Verb: playing
Randy is studying for his grammar test.
Verb Phrase: is studying
Randy is studying for his grammar test. Helping Verb: is Main Verb: studying
I am thirsty after all that running.
Verb Phrase: am thirsty
I am thirsty after all that running. Helping Verb: am Main Verb: thirsty
We have learned a lot about verbs.
Verb Phrase: have learned
We have learned a lot about verbs. Helping Verb: have Main Verb: learned
Great job!