Verbs

It’s what you do!

Helping Verbs

A helping verb works with a main verb to help you understand what action is taking place called a verb phrase.

Elmer was was usingusing the computer.

23 Helping Verbs

maymightmust 

bebeingbeenamareiswaswere

(main)

dodoesdid

(main)

shouldcouldwould

havehadhas

(main)

willcanshall

Helping Verbs

Other things to keep in mind:

When you see an "ing" verb such as "running", be on the lookout for a helping verb also.

Helping Verbs

•Sometimes there is another word which separates the helping verb from the main verb. One common example is "not", as in:

•The boy could not find his socks.

The helping verb is could and the main verb is find.

Helping Verbs

• A sentence may contain up to three helping verbs to the main verb.

Example 1.The dog must have been chasing the

cat. helping verbs : must, have, and beenmain verb: chasing

Examples

• Michael is helping Samantha with her homework.

• I was cleaning the garage for my mom.

• My brother may have changed his mind.

• Ashley might have been giving her some help.

Examples

• Jonathan will need money after school.

• That pencil is rolling on the floor.• I was just going to do that.• My mom may be watching the news

tonight.• My mom might be giving me money

for the dress I want to buy.

Examples

• I should not buy that outfit.• I will buy that dress tomorrow.

Homework

Textbook

p. 96 ex. 1 (1-10)

p. 98 ex. 3 (1-10)