verb phrases, main verb, and helping verbs

Verb Phrases,Verb Phrases,Main Verb, Main Verb, and Helping and Helping

VerbsVerbsPages 132-133 and 134-135

Helping Verb SongHelping Verb Song To the tune of “This Old Man”To the tune of “This Old Man” have - has - had

do - does - didbe - am - is - are - was - were - beencan(canna) - could - shall - should – will - would - maymight - must - being are helping verbs!

Verb PhrasesVerb Phrases• When a verb includes two or more words, it is

called a verb phrase.• You know that a verb is a word or words that

express action or being. A verb phrase is a verb in which two or more words work together.

Examples of verb phrases:Citizens are voting for the next President.They will cast their votes for President on

Tuesday.Voters must go to their assigned voting location.

Parts of a Verb PhraseParts of a Verb Phrase• There are two parts to a verb phrase:The main verb – the most important

verb of the phraseThe helping verb – works with the

main verb to tell the action

Congress has passed many laws.has is the helping verbpassed is the main verb

Main Verb and Main Verb and Helping VerbHelping Verb

• You know that the words in a verb phrase work together as the simple predicate of a sentence. The helping verb comes before the main verb.

Helping Verbs

Usually with this main verb ending Example

am, is, are, was, were

-ing ending Tina was helping her

grandmother.

have, has, had

-ed ending I have helped her.

do, does, did, can, could, will, would, should,

must

-no change in the verb

Rishi will help her

grandfather.

Separation of verbs in a verb Separation of verbs in a verb

phrasephrase• Sometimes the words in a verb phrase are

separated. In a question, the subject often comes between words in a verb phrase. You can change the question into a statement.

Examples of separation of verb phrases in a question:

• Do the candidates plan to debate?• The candidates do plan to debate.

Examples of separation of verb phrases in a statement:

• Some people will not see it.• Remember not is not included in a verb phrase.

Directions for 1-10 on Directions for 1-10 on page 132page 132

Read the sentences. Write the verb phrase in each sentence.

Identify the verb Identify the verb phrase in the phrase in the

sentence.sentence.

1. We have been learning about the election process.


sentence.sentence.

2. U.S voters have always voted by secret ballot.


sentence.sentence.

3. Each citizen over the age of eighteen can vote.


sentence.sentence.

4. The candidates must explain their ideas to the voters.


sentence.sentence.

5. Voters must get information about the candidates.


sentence.sentence.

6. Each person will vote for his or her preferred candidate.


sentence.sentence.7. The President’s inauguration will happen in January.


sentence.sentence.

8. Our teacher has assigned homework about past Presidents.


sentence.sentence.

9. Students are researching on the Internet.


sentence.sentence.

10. Our school is not holding a mock election this year.

Directions for 1-5 onDirections for 1-5 onpage 134page 134

Read the sentences. Write the verb phrase in each sentence. Circle the main verb.

Identify the verb phrase. Identify the verb phrase. Circle the main verb.Circle the main verb.

1. Courts do not decide all legal questions.


2. A law must not conflict with the Constitution.


3. The court can reject a law.


4. How does it do this?•It does do this how.


5. The court has played an important role in our government.

Directions for 6-10 onDirections for 6-10 onpage 135page 135

Read the sentences. Write the verb phrase in each sentence. Circle the main verb.


6. Can the President appoint anyone to the Supreme Court?•The President can appoint anyone to the Supreme Court.


7. Yes, but the person must win approval by the Senate.


8. Have you heard of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor? •You have heard of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.


9. She had been a state senator in Arizona.


10. Usually the President will choose someone with a career in law.

Directions for 11-15 Directions for 11-15 onon

page 135page 135Write the sentences. Choose the helping verb in parentheses that best completes the sentences. Label the entire sentence with parts of speech.

Choose the helping verb that Choose the helping verb that

completes the phrase. Label the completes the phrase. Label the

parts of speech.parts of speech.

11. This requirement (is, can) provide equal justice.




12. Even the Supreme Court usually (will, may have) follow its past decisions.




13. The court (has, does) not review every legal question.




14. It (will, have) accept cases about important issues.




15. At least four of the nine justices (are, must) agree to hear a case.

verb phrases, main verb, and helping verbs

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