Any verb phrase must contain a main verb and one or more helping verbs. A main verb, also known as a principal verb, is a verb that shows the action or the state of the subject, and can stand alone without a helping verb. A helping verb, or an auxiliary verb, is used to support the verb, and shows tense, tone, or mood.
“My dog was chasing the ball in the yard.”
The verb phrase here is “was chasing”, “chasing” is the main verb, while “was” is the helping verb.
“I might have lost my keys.”
In this example, the helping verbs are “might have”, while “lost” is the main verb.
N.B. “not” and its abbreviation “n’t” are not considered a part of a verb phrase, instead, they are adverbs that express the extent of a verb.
“I haven’t done my homework.”
In this example, “have” is the helping verb, and “done” is the main verb. “Not” or “n’t” are not included when pointing out the helping verb, only “have” is.
“I do not think that is a good idea.”
Here, “do” is the helping verb, “think” is the main verb, and “not” is not a part of the verb phrase.
“I will not be attending class tomorrow.”
In the previous example, “will be” is the helping verb (“not” is not part of the verb phrase), and “attending” is the main verb.
The most common helping verbs are:
“Be” - “am”, “are”, “be”, “been”, “being”, “is”, “was”, “were”.
“Have” - “had”, “has”, “have”, “having”.
“Do” - “did”, “do”, “does”.
Modal - “can”, “could”, “may”, “might”, “must”, “ought”, “shall”, “should”, “will”.
Modal: a helping verb that is joined with a main verb to express an attitude such as necessity or possibility.
“I must help you out!”
Here, “must” is a helping verb (modal), and “help” is the main verb.
“You should wait until the storm is over to go to Chicago.”
In this example, “should” is the helping verb (modal), and “wait” is the main verb.
Here are some exercises to do to help you better understand and identify main and helping verbs. You will find the answers after the questions are over.
My class will write about what they did during the weekend.
Chandler and I are working on a new project for our firm.
Billie was drawing a picture of her favorite celebrity.
She ought to come back.
Not a single problem has stopped her.
Tomorrow morning I will be on my way back home.
She was laughing so hard at a joke that was not even funny.
She had forgotten all about the hours of labor as soon as she saw her baby.
He is doing a great job at university.
I should think some more before making this decision.
Answers
Helping verb: will Main verb: write
Helping verb: are Main verb: working
Helping verb: was Main verb: drawing
Helping verb: ought to Main verb: come
Helping verb: has Main verb: stopped
Helping verb: will Main verb: be
Helping verb: was Main verb: laughing
Helping verb: had Main verb: forgotten
Helping verb: is Main verb: doing
Helping verb: should Main verb: think
Main and Helping Verbs
Main and Helping Verbs
Main and helping verbs are two essential parts of any verb phrase. To know how to identify them, click here.
Any verb phrase must contain a main verb and one or more helping verbs. A main verb, also known as a principal verb, is a verb that shows the action or the state of the subject, and can stand alone without a helping verb. A helping verb, or an auxiliary verb, is used to support the verb, and shows tense, tone, or mood. “My dog was chasing the ball in the yard.” The verb phrase here is “was chasing”, “chasing” is the main verb, while “was” is the helping verb. “I might have lost my keys.” In this example, the helping verbs are “might have”, while “lost” is the main verb. N.B. “not” and its abbreviation “n’t” are not considered a part of a verb phrase, instead, they are adverbs that express the extent of a verb. “I haven’t done my homework.”In this example, “have” is the helping verb, and “done” is the main verb. “Not” or “n’t” are not included when pointing out the helping verb, only “have” is. “I do not think that is a good idea.”Here, “do” is the helping verb, “think” is the main verb, and “not” is not a part of the verb phrase. “I will not be attending class tomorrow.” In the previous example, “will be” is the helping verb (“not” is not part of the verb phrase), and “attending” is the main verb. The most common helping verbs are:“Be” - “am”, “are”, “be”, “been”, “being”, “is”, “was”, “were”. “Have” - “had”, “has”, “have”, “having”. “Do” - “did”, “do”, “does”. Modal - “can”, “could”, “may”, “might”, “must”, “ought”, “shall”, “should”, “will”. Modal: a helping verb that is joined with a main verb to express an attitude such as necessity or possibility.“I must help you out!”Here, “must” is a helping verb (modal), and “help” is the main verb.“You should wait until the storm is over to go to Chicago.” In this example, “should” is the helping verb (modal), and “wait” is the main verb. Here are some exercises to do to help you better understand and identify main and helping verbs. You will find the answers after the questions are over. My class will write about what they did during the weekend.Chandler and I are working on a new project for our firm.Billie was drawing a picture of her favorite celebrity. She ought to come back. Not a single problem has stopped her. Tomorrow morning I will be on my way back home. She was laughing so hard at a joke that was not even funny. She had forgotten all about the hours of labor as soon as she saw her baby. He is doing a great job at university. I should think some more before making this decision. AnswersHelping verb: willMain verb: write Helping verb: are Main verb: working Helping verb: was Main verb: drawing Helping verb: ought toMain verb: come Helping verb: has Main verb: stopped Helping verb: will Main verb: be Helping verb: was Main verb: laughing Helping verb: had Main verb: forgottenHelping verb: is Main verb: doing Helping verb: should Main verb: think
