1. Got a Verb Phrase? An interactive lesson plan
By Karen Peterson
English Teacher
Charlevoix High School

2. What is a Verb Phrase? A verb phrase consists of two things:
1. The main verb
2. A helping verb
Helping verb
Main verb
This is an example of a deductive strategy – rule then example.
Example: The brown cow is jumping over the rusty fence.

3. What is a Verb Phrase?
A verb phrase can be thought of like a boy and raft.
Main verb
Helping verb
Metaphor
The boy (main verb) could float in the water by himself…but the raft (helping verb) makes it better for him.

4. It’s important to know the common helping verbs:
Had
Can
May
Will be
Will have
Can be
Can have
Must have
Must have been
Can have
Could be
Could have
Will have been
Might have
Might have been Do
Did
Does Am
are Is
Was
Were
Have
Has

5. Let’s test your verb phrase knowledge…
Select the verb phrase in the following sentence:
Matthew had been sleeping in his bed.
had
been sleeping
been sleeping in
had been sleeping

6. 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.
Scaffolding
I’m ready to try again!
Show me the common helping verbs
I need more review.

7. Common Helping Verbs Had Can May Will be Will have Can be Can have
Must have
Must have been
Can have
Could be
Could have
Will have been
Might have
Might have been Do
Did
Does Am
are Is
Was
Were
Have
Has
Scaffolding
I’m ready to try again.

8. More Review… Look at these sentences: 1. Monica did go to the store.
did = helping verb
go=main verb
3. “I want to eat a peach,” said Marcy.
to = helping verb
eat=main verb
2.Juli is driving to the high school.
is = helping verb
driving=main verb
4. Mr. Gowell did teach students to use the internet.
did = helping verb
teaching=main verb
Slide 4
Let’s do it! I’m ready.

9. FANTASTIC….Let’s try another!
Select the verb phrase in the following sentence:
Sarah is giving a present to Mark.
A. is
B. giving
C. is giving
D. giving present

10. Sorry…Here’s another example!
A verb phrase consists of two things:
1. The main verb
2. A helping verb
Helping verbs
Main verb
Please show me common verb phrases.
Example: Molly had to go to Billy.
Scaffolding
I’m ready to try again!
Note: Sometimes a helping verb is more than one word too!
I need more review.

11. Common Helping Verbs Had Can May Will be Will have Can be Can have
Must have
Must have been
Can have
Could be
Could have
Will have been
Might have
Might have been Do
Did
Does Am
are Is
Was
Were
Have
Has
Scaffolding
I’m ready to try again.

12. More Review… Look at these sentences: 1. Monica did go to the store.
did = helping verb
go=main verb
3. “I want to eat a peach,” said Marcy.
to = helping verb
eat=main verb
2.Juli is driving to the high school.
is = helping verb
driving=main verb
4. Mr. Gowell did teach students to use the internet.
did = helping verb
teaching=main verb
Scaffolding
Let’s do it! I’m ready.

13. Wow! You’re Good….Here’s another!
Select the verb phrase in the following sentence:
The girls’ basketball team did go to state.
A. did go
B. did go to
C. go
D. go to

14. More Review… Look at these sentences: 1. Monica did go to the store.
did = helping verb
go=main verb
3. “I want to eat a peach,” said Marcy.
to = helping verb
eat=main verb
2.Juli is driving to the high school.
is = helping verb
driving=main verb
4. Mr. Gowell did teach students to use the internet.
did = helping verb
teaching=main verb
Scaffolding
Let’s do it! I’m ready.

15. You’re a Verb Phrase Master!
For more verb practice – Check this out: