Got a Verb Phrase?

An interactive lesson plan

By Karen Peterson
English Teacher Charlevoix High School

What is a Verb Phrase?

A verb phrase consists of two things: 1. The main verb 2. A helping verb
Helping verb

Main verb

Example: The brown cow is jumping over the rusty fence.

What is a Verb Phrase?

A verb phrase can be thought of like a boy and raft.

Main verb

Helping verb

The boy (main verb) could float in the water by himselfbut the raft (helping verb) makes it better for him.

Its important to know the common helping verbs:

Do Did Does Am are Is Was Were Have Has Had Can May Will be Will have Can be Can have Must have Must have been Can have Could be Could have Will have been Might have Might have been

Lets test your verb phrase knowledge

Select the verb phrase in the following sentence:

Matthew had been sleeping in his bed. A. B. C. D. had been sleeping been sleeping in had been sleeping

OopsLets Review Verb Phrases!

A verb phrase consists of two things: 1. The main verb 2. A helping verb
Helping verb Main verb

Example: Molly is talking to Billy. Im ready to try again! Show me the common helping verbs

I need more review.

Common Helping Verbs

Do Did Does Am are Is Was Were Have Has Had Can May Will be Will have Can be Can have Must have Must have been Can have Could be Could have Will have been Might have Might have been
Im ready to try again.

More Review
Look at these sentences:
1. Monica did go to the store. did = helping verb go=main verb 2.Juli is driving to the high school. is = helping verb driving=main verb 3. I want to eat a peach, said Marcy. to = helping verb eat=main verb 3. Mr. Gowell did teach students to use the internet. did = helping verb teaching=main verb

Lets do it! Im ready.

FANTASTIC.Lets try another!

Select the verb phrase in the following sentence:

Sarah is giving a present to Mark. A. is B. giving C. is giving D. giving present

SorryHeres another example!

A verb phrase consists of two things: 1. The main verb 2. A helping verb
Helping verbs Main verb

Please show me common verb phrases.

Example: Molly had to go to Billy. Im ready to try again! Note: Sometimes a helping verb is more than one word too!

I need more review.

Common Helping Verbs

Do Did Does Am are Is Was Were Have Has Had Can May Will be Will have Can be Can have Must have Must have been Can have Could be Could have Will have been Might have Might have been
Im ready to try again.

More Review
Look at these sentences:
1. Monica did go to the store. did = helping verb go=main verb 2.Juli is driving to the high school. is = helping verb driving=main verb 3. I want to eat a peach, said Marcy. to = helping verb eat=main verb 3. Mr. Gowell did teach students to use the internet. did = helping verb teaching=main verb

Lets do it! Im ready.

Wow! Youre Good.Heres another!

Select the verb phrase in the following sentence:

The girls basketball team did go to state. A. did go B. did go to C. go D. go to

More Review
Look at these sentences:
1. Monica did go to the store. did = helping verb go=main verb 2.Juli is driving to the high school. is = helping verb driving=main verb 3. I want to eat a peach, said Marcy. to = helping verb eat=main verb 3. Mr. Gowell did teach students to use the internet. did = helping verb teaching=main verb

Lets do it! Im ready.

Youre a Verb Phrase Master!

For more verb practice Check this out: http://www.quia.com/pop/8096.html