Main Verbs and Helping Verbs
Remember!
*A main verb shows the main action or state of being in a sentence.
- Adam and his mom cook dinner on Thursday nights.
- We attended the party.
- Andrew fed the cat.
- Mirna loves cake.
*A helping verb helps the main verb show tense. Helping verbs include forms of be, do, and have, as well as will, can, may, should, and must.
- They will make steamed dumplings for dinner tomorrow.
- Adam was singing for an hour.
- Jhon has eaten the chicken already.
- You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
*A verb phrase consists of a main verb and one or more helping verbs.
- Beau has enjoyed learning how to cook.
- He can smell the pizza.
- She has appeared on screen as an actress.
- She will have been studying Italian for three years.