The Parts of a Verb
(Teacher’s note: This lesson assumes the student
has a working knowledge of the definition of a
verb (a word that tells an action or a state of
being), and has had practice in finding verbs
in sentences.)
Sometimes a verb is only one word:
jump
run
throw
eat
sleep
breathe
Sometimes a verb is made up of two or more words.
One of the words is the main verb, and
the other words are helping verbs. All
of these words together make up the whole verb.
When you are finding the verb in a sentence,
be sure you find all the words that make the whole
verb.
|
Helping Verbs |
Main Verb |
Whole Verb |
|
might
have |
jumped |
might
have jumped |
|
will |
throw |
will
throw |
|
are
|
sleeping |
are
sleeping |
|
could |
breathe |
could
breathe |
Sometimes the main verb and the helping verb
are separated by other words. These words are
not part of the verb. When you are finding the
whole verb in a sentence, be sure to leave out
those words.
I have never been to
the state of Maine. (never is not part
of the verb)
The teacher has not seen
the book. (not is not part of the verb)
My sister is always late.
(always is not part of the verb)
Sometimes a verb is part of a contraction. When
you see a verb that is part of a contraction,
name only the verb. The other word in the contraction
will never be a verb.
|
Contraction |
Verb |
|
hasn’t
(has not) |
has |
|
weren’t
(were not) |
were |
|
I’ve
(I have) |
have |
|
we’d
(we would) |
would |
|
won’t
(will not) |
will |
Exercise: Underline the verbs in the sentences.
Remember to look for helping verbs, and to leave
out words that separate the main verb from the
helping verb.
- We went to the beach three times last summer.
- I have never been to Canada.
- My sister’s plane will arrive at 3:00 p.m.
- My family leaves on vacation next week.
- I am going skiing for the first time next
weekend.
- Jimmy and I will finish raking later.
- It hasn’t snowed much this winter.
- We haven’t planted a vegetable garden for
two years.
- The boys were quickly collecting the tennis
balls.
- The man was carefully crossing the street.
English
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