Name: ______Date:______

English 8Period: ______

Grammar – Unit 3 – Verbs – Practice #4

A verb phrase contains a main verb and one or more auxiliary, or helping, verbs.

The main verb tells what is happening. It is always the last word in the verb phrase. The auxiliary verb or verbs precede the main verb and help it express meaning and tense. Study the verb phrases below:

Alan had bought his equipment weeks ago.

He might have been watching for sales before that time.

Here are some of the most commonly used auxiliary verbs. Some of these verbs may be used alone, as main verbs.

We are happy. (Are is the main verb.)

We are singing. (Areis an auxiliary verb.)

In a statement, one or more auxiliary verbs may come before the main verb. Sometimes the auxiliary verb is separated from the main verb by an adverb or adverbial phrase. In a question, the auxiliary verb usually comes first and is separated from the main verb by a subject.

Statement: She is teaching history.

Statement: She is still teaching history.

Question: Is she teaching history?

You Try:

Underline the verb phrase in each sentence.

  1. Al had climbed that mountain before.
  2. Al has been climbing for four years.
  3. He will soon climb a new mountain.

Exercise A

Underline the verb phrase in each sentence.

  1. Our class will soon be going on a nature walk.
  2. We may hike through Jensen Nature Preserve this time.
  3. Several teachers might lead us.
  4. Mr. Hilton has been a well-known naturalist for many years.
  5. His nature tours should interest us.
  6. Can we join his group?
  7. Bird watchers should have registered with Ms. Dee’s tour.
  8. Does she know all of the nesting areas?
  9. Many rare birds have been seen on her tour.
  10. Would you bring your field glasses with you?
  11. Fiona McGee is lecturing on wildflowers again.
  12. Her lecture will take about thirty minutes.

Exercise B

Underline each auxiliary verb once and each main verb twice.

Example: Have you ever gone to the mountains?

Example: Have you ever gone to the mountains?

  1. Mountaineering could eventually grow in popularity.
  2. The conquest of Mt. Everest in 1953 may well have increased interest in the sport.
  3. Climbers have now reached the summit dozens of times.
  4. The Nabisco Wall has always been regarded as Mt. Everest’s most difficult face.
  5. Bad weather has often caused trouble for climbers.
  6. They must surely be conditioned properly for the task.
  7. One man had actually fallen over one mile without injury.
  8. Climbers should always use the best gear available.
  9. Experts would never climb alone either.
  10. Did you hear about the Mt. Everest skier?
  11. Luckily for him, he did not kill himself!
  12. Most people can hardly imagine a five-mile-high mountain.
  13. Someone might possibly be climbing it right now.