Verb Phrases,

Main Verb, and

Helping Verbs
Pages 132-133 and 134-135

Helping Verb Song

To the tune of This Old Man

have - has - had
do - does - did
be - am - is - are - was - were
- been
can(canna) - could - shall should will - would - may
might - must - being
are helping verbs!

Verb 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 Phrase

There are two parts to a verb phrase:
The main verb the most important
verb of the phrase
The helping verb works with the
main verb to tell the action
Congress has passed many laws.
has is the helping verb
passed is the main verb

Main Verb and Helping

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

am, is, are, was,

were

Usually with this

main verb ending

-ing ending

Example

Tina was helping

her
grandmother.
I have helped
have, has, had -ed ending
her.
do, does, did, can,
Rishi will help
-no
change
in
could, will, would,
her grandfather.
the verb
should, must

Separation of verbs in a verb phrase

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

page 132

Read the sentences.

Write the verb
phrase in each
sentence.

Identify the verb phrase in

the sentence.

1. We have been
learning about
the election
process.

Identify the verb phrase in

the sentence.

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

Identify the verb phrase in

the sentence.

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

Identify the verb phrase in

the sentence.

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

Identify the verb phrase in

the sentence.

5. Voters must
get information
about the
candidates.

Identify the verb phrase in

the sentence.

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

Identify the verb phrase in

the sentence.

7. The Presidents
inauguration will
happen in January.

Identify the verb phrase in

the sentence.

8. Our teacher
has assigned
homework about
past Presidents.

Identify the verb phrase in

the sentence.

9. Students are
researching on
the Internet.

Identify the verb phrase in

the sentence.

10. Our school

is not holding a
mock election
this year.

Directions for 1-5 on

page 134

Read the sentences.

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

Identify the verb phrase. Circle

the main verb.

1. Courts do
not decide all
legal questions.

Identify the verb phrase. Circle

the main verb.

2. A law must
not conflict with
the Constitution.

Identify the verb phrase. Circle

the main verb.

3. The court
can reject a
law.

Identify the verb phrase. Circle

the main verb.

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

Identify the verb phrase. Circle

the main verb.

5. The court has

played an
important role in
our government.

Directions for 6-10 on

page 135

Read the sentences.

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

Identify the verb phrase. Circle

the main verb.

6. Can the President

appoint anyone to the
Supreme Court?
The President can
appoint anyone to the
Supreme Court.

Identify the verb phrase. Circle

the main verb.

7. Yes, but the

person must
win approval by
the Senate.

Identify the verb phrase. Circle

the main verb.

8. Have you heard of

Justice Sandra Day
OConnor?
You have heard of
Justice Sandra Day
OConnor.

Identify the verb phrase. Circle

the main verb.

9. She had
been a state
senator in
Arizona.

Identify the verb phrase. Circle

the main verb.

10. Usually the

President will
choose someone
with a career in
law.

Directions for 11-15 on

page 135
Write 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 completes

the phrase. Label the parts of speech.

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

Choose the helping verb that completes

the phrase. Label the parts of speech.

12. Even the

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

Choose the helping verb that completes

the phrase. Label the parts of speech.

13. The court

(has, does) not
review every
legal question.

Choose the helping verb that completes

the phrase. Label the parts of speech.

14. It (will, have)

accept cases
about important
issues.

Choose the helping verb that completes

the phrase. Label the parts of speech.

15. At least four of

the nine justices
(are, must) agree
to hear a case.