1. Helping Verbs
A little help please…

2. Helping Verbs
Helping verbs and linking verbs are the same words
If they have an action verb buddy they are helping verbs
If they are by themselves, they are linking verbs
WARNING: Helping verbs do not function as verbs. They HELP the main verb.

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

4. Helping Verbs help the main verb express action or a state of being
can speak
may be
has been named
should have been caught

5. Verb Phrases
A verb phrase has one main verb and one or more helping verbs
verb phrase=hv+av
Many people in Europe can speak more than one language.
The packages may be at Webb Bridge Middle School.

6. Helping Verb or Linking Verb?
The highlighted words can function as main verbs or auxiliary verbs. Can you tell which job each is doing?
I am a teacher.
I am writing a letter.
We are hungry.
The girls are playing ball.
linking verb
helping verb
linking verb
helping verb

7. Helping Verb or Linking Verb? Your Turn!
I was a track star.
I was running quickly.
She does the dishes.
She does hear you.
They have influenza.
They have been cured.

8. Handy Tip for Verb Phrases
Sometimes a verb phrase is interrupted by another part of speech, like an adverb. In a question, the subject often interrupts the verb phrase.
Our school has always held a victory celebration when our team wins.
Did you hear Jamie Foxx’s speech?

9. (sing to the tune of “Jingle Bells”)
Helping Verbs
(sing to the tune of “Jingle Bells”) be am is
are
was
were
been
being
has
have
had do
did
does
can
could
shall
will
would
should
may
might
must

10. HELP the UFO!
Imagine yourself giving instructions to new aliens arriving by UFO. How would you teach them to behave? What words would you use? "Hover"? "Beam"? "Communicate"?
Write the verb(s) at the beginning of each line. Then complete each instruction. Put each instruction on its own line of poetry.