1. Verb A verb is a word that expresses action.
every sentence has a main verb
in many sentences, a single word
is all that is needed to express the
action

2. Verb An action verb expresses either physical or mental activity.
PHYSICAL Please cook dinner, Jerry.
MENTAL Francesca understands the
science experiment.

3. Verb TIP “What is the action?” The dog barked all night.
EXAMPLES
The dog barked all night.
Brandon throws the ball a long way.
TIP “What is the action?”

4. Verb
In some sentences, the verb consists of a main verb and one or more helping verbs.
a helping verb helps the main verb to
express action
EXAMPLES can speak
will learn
should have been fed

5. Verb I had called my grandmother already.
Had is helping the main verb called.
I have used a computer in math class.
Have is helping the main verb used.

6. Verb
Remember, a verb cannot be a helping verb unless there is another verb for it to help.
EXAMPLE They had a good time at the nature center.
Had is the only verb; there is no other verb for
it to help.

7. Together, the main verb and its helping verb or verbs is called a verb phrase.
EXAMPLES Many students can speak Spanish.
I will be learning all the state capitals tonight.
The dog should have been fed by now.
The magician is thinking of a number.

8. Commonly Used Helping Verbs
be am is are
was were been
has have had
do does did
can could shall should
will would may
might must being
Sung to the tune of
“London Bridge”