Pt3 Helping Verbs and Main Verbs 2

A verb phrase consists of the main verb with its helper verbs.

You should have seen her play tennis.

helpers main verb

Some Common Helper Verbs: be, is, am, are, was, were, has, had, have, has been, had been,

do, does, did, done, may, might, can, could, shall, should, will, would, must.

Watch out for split verbs in question sentences.

Did you call me?

Should I have gone home?

Words telling where and most words ending in –ly ARE NOT VERBS.

NOT is not a verb; NEVER is never a verb.

In contractions, name only the verb. Drop the “not” part of any helping verb.

Directions: Write the helper verbs; write the main verb.

1. Mother hurriedly had called the store.

2. They could not be clearly heard.

3. Did he get too tired?

4. I can not arrive home until Sunday.

5. I will not return it.

6. I am not planning to go.

7. Many people have been patiently waiting for some news of the ship.

8. What picture did you see at the movies yesterday?

9. My dog can now easily do that trick.

10. The accident must have been seen by several people.

11. The tower was brilliantly lighted every night.

12. He does not try very hard.

13. The troop of scouts must have traveled onward.

14. The description of the lost man has already been broadcasted over the radio.

15. Will you not be too tired?

16. You must have met John yesterday.

17. He did not see me at all.

18. Down the road were two boys chasing the little dog.

19. When did you arrive?

20. Is our semester ending earlier this year?