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.
Usually with this
Helping main verb ending Example
Verbs
am, is, are, was, -ing ending Tina was
were helping her
grandmother.
have, has, had -ed ending I have helped
her.
do, does, did, can, Rishi will help
could, will, would,
-no change in
should, must the verb her grandfather.
 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 President’s
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
O’Connor?
• You have heard of
Justice Sandra Day
O’Connor.
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.