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GG.1 Learn to identify main verbs and helping verbs

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What are main verbs and helping verbs?

Main verbs show the main action or state of being in a sentence. Helping verbs (also called auxiliary verbs) work with main verbs to show time, possibility, or necessity.

Examples:
  • Main verb: run, jump, eat, write
  • Helping verb: is, are, was, were, have, has, will, can
Note

Every complete verb phrase has a main verb, and sometimes it has one or more helping verbs before it.

Identifying main verbs

The main verb tells what the subject is doing or being. It is the key word that carries the meaning of the action.

Examples:
  • “The dog barked loudly.” (Main verb = barked)
  • “She writes letters every week.” (Main verb = writes)
  • “They slept on the bus.” (Main verb = slept)
Note

Ask yourself: What is the subject doing? The answer will usually be the main verb.

Identifying helping verbs

Helping verbs come before the main verb and change its meaning by showing time or possibility.

Examples:
  • “She is running home.” (Helping verb = is, Main verb = running)
  • “They will play tomorrow.” (Helping verb = will, Main verb = play)
  • “I have finished my homework.” (Helping verb = have, Main verb = finished)
Note

Helping verbs never stand alone. They always work with a main verb to form a complete idea.

Using main verbs and helping verbs together

A complete verb phrase is made when helping verbs and a main verb are used together in a sentence.

Examples:
  • “She is reading a story.” (Helping verb + Main verb)
  • “They were playing soccer.” (Helping verb + Main verb)
  • “I can swim fast.” (Helping verb + Main verb)
Note

When you see two or more verbs together, the first one is usually the helping verb, and the last one is the main verb.

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