English grammar worksheet focusing on identifying main and helping verbs.
Worksheet with instructions to underline main and helping verbs in sentences, featuring examples and a list of 12 sentences for practice.
JPG
1000×1413
119.7 KB
Free · Personal Use
Quality Assured by Worksheets Library Team
Reviewed for educational accuracy and age-appropriateness
ID: #301022
⭐
Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Main verb and Helping verb worksheet
▼
Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Main verb and Helping verb worksheet
Let's solve this step by step. The task is to underline the main verbs and the helping verbs in each sentence.
- Helping verbs (also called auxiliary verbs) include: *are, is, do, will, would, should, has, have, may, might, can, could, etc.*
- Main verbs are the action or state-of-being words that carry the meaning of the sentence.
- A verb phrase often consists of a helping verb + main verb.
---
Now, let’s go through each sentence:
---
1. You should finish your homework tonight.
- should = helping verb
- finish = main verb
✔ Underline: should, finish
---
2. It might rain tomorrow.
- might = helping verb
- rain = main verb
✔ Underline: might, rain
---
3. Have you seen my keys?
- Have = helping verb (present perfect tense)
- seen = main verb (past participle of "see")
✔ Underline: Have, seen
---
4. Where will you move to?
- will = helping verb
- move = main verb
✔ Underline: will, move
---
5. They are thinking about a change in venue.
- are = helping verb (present continuous)
- thinking = main verb (present participle)
✔ Underline: are, thinking
---
6. We would like to go with you tomorrow.
- would = helping verb
- like = main verb
> Note: "to go" is an infinitive phrase, but "like" is the main verb here.
✔ Underline: would, like
---
7. He is working at the mall this week.
- is = helping verb
- working = main verb
✔ Underline: is, working
---
8. I do not want you to get sick.
- do = helping verb (used for emphasis or negation)
- want = main verb
> Note: "do" helps form the negative ("do not"), but it doesn't change the meaning of "want".
✔ Underline: do, want
---
9. Could you help him with that?
- Could = helping verb (modal)
- help = main verb
✔ Underline: Could, help
---
10. He might listen to you.
- might = helping verb
- listen = main verb
✔ Underline: might, listen
---
11. We have done our best.
- have = helping verb (present perfect)
- done = main verb (past participle of "do")
✔ Underline: have, done
---
12. She can borrow this book.
- can = helping verb (modal)
- borrow = main verb
✔ Underline: can, borrow
---
1. You should finish your homework tonight.
2. It might rain tomorrow.
3. Have you seen my keys?
4. Where will you move to?
5. They are thinking about a change in venue.
6. We would like to go with you tomorrow.
7. He is working at the mall this week.
8. I do not want you to get sick.
9. Could you help him with that?
10. He might listen to you.
11. We have done our best.
12. She can borrow this book.
---
- Helping verbs assist the main verb to express tense, mood, voice, or possibility.
- Main verbs show the actual action or state.
- Modal verbs like *should, might, would, could, can* are always helping verbs.
- Verbs like *have, do, be* (is, are) act as helpers when followed by another verb.
This exercise helps students recognize verb phrases and understand how helping verbs support the main verb in forming complete thoughts.
First, recall:
- Helping verbs (also called auxiliary verbs) include: *are, is, do, will, would, should, has, have, may, might, can, could, etc.*
- Main verbs are the action or state-of-being words that carry the meaning of the sentence.
- A verb phrase often consists of a helping verb + main verb.
---
Now, let’s go through each sentence:
---
1. You should finish your homework tonight.
- should = helping verb
- finish = main verb
✔ Underline: should, finish
---
2. It might rain tomorrow.
- might = helping verb
- rain = main verb
✔ Underline: might, rain
---
3. Have you seen my keys?
- Have = helping verb (present perfect tense)
- seen = main verb (past participle of "see")
✔ Underline: Have, seen
---
4. Where will you move to?
- will = helping verb
- move = main verb
✔ Underline: will, move
---
5. They are thinking about a change in venue.
- are = helping verb (present continuous)
- thinking = main verb (present participle)
✔ Underline: are, thinking
---
6. We would like to go with you tomorrow.
- would = helping verb
- like = main verb
> Note: "to go" is an infinitive phrase, but "like" is the main verb here.
✔ Underline: would, like
---
7. He is working at the mall this week.
- is = helping verb
- working = main verb
✔ Underline: is, working
---
8. I do not want you to get sick.
- do = helping verb (used for emphasis or negation)
- want = main verb
> Note: "do" helps form the negative ("do not"), but it doesn't change the meaning of "want".
✔ Underline: do, want
---
9. Could you help him with that?
- Could = helping verb (modal)
- help = main verb
✔ Underline: Could, help
---
10. He might listen to you.
- might = helping verb
- listen = main verb
✔ Underline: might, listen
---
11. We have done our best.
- have = helping verb (present perfect)
- done = main verb (past participle of "do")
✔ Underline: have, done
---
12. She can borrow this book.
- can = helping verb (modal)
- borrow = main verb
✔ Underline: can, borrow
---
✔ Final Answer (with underlined parts):
1. You should finish your homework tonight.
2. It might rain tomorrow.
3. Have you seen my keys?
4. Where will you move to?
5. They are thinking about a change in venue.
6. We would like to go with you tomorrow.
7. He is working at the mall this week.
8. I do not want you to get sick.
9. Could you help him with that?
10. He might listen to you.
11. We have done our best.
12. She can borrow this book.
---
🔍 Explanation Summary:
- Helping verbs assist the main verb to express tense, mood, voice, or possibility.
- Main verbs show the actual action or state.
- Modal verbs like *should, might, would, could, can* are always helping verbs.
- Verbs like *have, do, be* (is, are) act as helpers when followed by another verb.
This exercise helps students recognize verb phrases and understand how helping verbs support the main verb in forming complete thoughts.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of helping verbs practice worksheet.
