Adverbs in part of speech

Sometimes verb phrases are separated by words called adverbs.

 

Adverbs are often used with verbs.

 

(They are not considered part of the verb phrase. Oddly enough) 

 

By now, we should be able differentiate the action verbs from state of being verbs.

 

1. You have not helped your father today. [ have helped - action verbs]

2. I will soon be home. [will be - state of being verbs]

3. The child had suddenly choked on the food. [had choked - action verbs]

Can you recall as many of the twenty-three helping verbs as you can?

 

check out my previous post 

 

Verb phrases with two or more helping verbs always keep a definite order. 

 

 

Most helping verbs can combine with other helping verbs but will not combine with all of them. 

 

The examples below show good combinations (Check out Collocation!)

 

has been said, will be said, could have been said, may have said, had been said

Can you arange the following helping verbs with the word in parentheses into a verb phrase. 

 

One of the helping verbs will not combine and must be left out.

 

Example: was, have, may (gone) = may have gone - was will not combine in this group.

1. am, will, being (fired)

2. been, could, does, have (learning)

3. might, do, have, been (sleeping)

4. must, were, be (discovered)

5. be, has, should (sold)

 

 

scroll down past the lovely photo for the answers ...

 

 

Answers:

1. am being fired

2. could have been learning

3. might have been sleeping

4. must be discovered

5. should be sold

 

and by the way and oddly enought, 

 

the 'not and n't contraction' are not considered part of the verb phrase. 

 

The following verb phrases in these sentences are in bold-

1. The game will not be finished for another hour.

2. The horse shouldn't have been worked so much.

3. Wouldn't you give me another chance?

Verb phrases can have one, two, or three helping verbs in them.