parts of speech- verb phrases

Sometimes a verb can be more than one word.

When a verb is more than one word, it is called a verb phrase.

Verb phrases can be two, three, or four words.

Verb phrases are made by using auxiliary or helping verbs.

The verb phrases are highlighted in these sentences

 

1. You are going to Seattle.

2. You have been resting too much.

3. We must be early.

did you know that are 23 commonly used  auxiliary or helping verbs?

 

They ideally should be memorized since they are used so often. 

They are usually grouped in the following five groups:

 

Group 1: is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been

 

Group 2: has, have, had

 

Group 3: do, does, did

 

Group 4: shall, will, should, would

 

Group 5: may, might, must, can, could

 

 

Some of the helping verbs can be used alone as the main verb.  

 

Is, am, are, was, and were can be used alone as linking or state of being verbs.  

 

Has, have, had, do, does, and did always show action when used alone. 

 

Be, being, and been can be used with other verbs either to show action or state of being. 

 

The other helping verbs cannot be used alone but only as helping verbs.

 

Refer to the examples below-

1. She has too many friends.

2. You do beautiful work.

3. I was in Canada last week.

4. You are being very stubborn.

Note again that- Has and do are action verbs, 

 

and was and are being are state of being verbs.