1. can understand

2. must have told

3. shall go

4. was howling

Lesson 7
Parts of Speech - Verbs

The use of helping verbs causes certain changes in verb phrases that we need to be able to recognize. One change is the use of contractions.

Instructions: List the contractions in the following sentences.

1. I've done it again.

2. You aren't going with us.

3. She's staying to tend the kids.

Answers:

1. I’ve

2. aren’t

3. she’s

As mentioned before, it’s a good idea to memorize the helping verbs. If you haven’t memorized them, take a few minutes to learn them.

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

Lesson 8
Parts of Speech - Verbs

A helping verb may be connected with another word in a contracted form. The following sentences have verb phrases using contractions.

Instructions: Find the verb phrases in each sentence. Determine if the verb phases are action verbs or state of being verbs.

1. I've done it again.

2. You aren't going with us.

3. She's staying to tend the kids.

Answers:

1. 've (have) done - Have is in contracted form.

2. are going - Are is connected to the contracted form of not.

3. 's (is) staying - Is is in contracted form.

All three verb phrases are action verbs.

Lesson 9
Parts of Speech - Verbs

In sentences that are questions, the verb phrase is often separated by another word.

Instructions: Find the verb phrases in these sentences. Be sure to watch for another word separating the helping verb from the main verb.

1. Have you been driving long?

2. Where was the car parked?

3. Can I be of assistance?

Answers:

1. have been driving

2. was parked

3. can be

The words separating the verb phrases are nouns and pronouns. This is very common in sentences that are questions. The first two verbs are action verbs, and the last verb is a state of being verb.

Lesson 10
Parts of Speech - Verbs

Sometimes verb phrases are separated by words called adverbs. We will learn more about adverbs in later lessons. They are used often with verbs; however, they are not considered part of the verb phrase. What are the verb phrases in the three sentences? Are the verbs action verbs or state of being verbs?

1. You have not helped your father today.

2. I will soon be home.

3. The child had suddenly choked on the food. 

Answers:

1. have helped - action verbs

2. will be - state of being verbs

3. had choked - action verbs

The first and third sentences are action verbs, and the second sentence a state of being verb.  

Quiz for Lessons 6-10

Parts of Speech - Verbs

Instructions: List the verb phrases in the following sentences.

1. My wife is reading in the hammock under the tree.

2. The message can't be altered.

3. Somewhere a party is being planned.

4. Shouldn't I be a clown for Halloween?

5. I've run out of time.

Now write down as many of the twenty-three helping verbs as you can.

Answers:

1. is reading

2. can be altered

3. is being planned

4. should be

5. 've (have) run

The twenty-three helping verbs are is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been, have, has, had, do, does, did, shall, will, should, would, may, might, must, can, and could.

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