Helping Verbs Worksheets, Definition, Examples - ReadingVine - Free Printable

Let's solve the "Helping Verbs" worksheet step by step.

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🔹 What are Helping Verbs?

Helping verbs (also called auxiliary verbs) work with the main verb to express tense, mood, or voice. Common helping verbs include:
- be, do, have
- Modal verbs: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would

They often come before the main verb and help form verb tenses (like present perfect, past continuous, etc.).

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✔ Directions: Underline the helping verbs in each sentence.

Let’s go through each sentence:

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1. She is singing a song.
→ *is* helps "singing" (present continuous tense)
✔ Underline: is

2. We should eat breakfast before our fieldtrip.
→ *should* is a modal verb helping "eat"
✔ Underline: should

3. I have been studying for my test.
→ *have* and *been* both help "studying" (present perfect continuous)
✔ Underline: have, been

4. He has been reading a book.
→ *has* and *been* help "reading" (present perfect continuous)
✔ Underline: has, been

5. We are having a picnic.
→ *are* helps "having" (present continuous)
✔ Underline: are

6. They will be arriving soon.
→ *will* and *be* help "arriving" (future continuous)
✔ Underline: will, be

7. She can dance gracefully.
→ *can* is a modal helping "dance"
✔ Underline: can

8. He had been working on a project.
→ *had* and *been* help "working" (past perfect continuous)
✔ Underline: had, been

9. The cat was sleeping on the couch.
→ *was* helps "sleeping" (past continuous)
✔ Underline: was

10. They are going to the movies.
→ *are* helps "going" (present continuous)
✔ Underline: are

11. She should pass the test.
→ *should* is a modal helping "pass"
✔ Underline: should

12. He has finished his homework.
→ *has* helps "finished" (present perfect tense)
✔ Underline: has

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📝 Final Answer (with underlined helping verbs):

1. She is singing a song.
2. We should eat breakfast before our fieldtrip.
3. I have been studying for my test.
4. He has been reading a book.
5. We are having a picnic.
6. They will be arriving soon.
7. She can dance gracefully.
8. He had been working on a project.
9. The cat was sleeping on the couch.
10. They are going to the movies.
11. She should pass the test.
12. He has finished his homework.

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💡 Summary of Helping Verbs Used:

- be: is, are, was, been
- have: have, has, had
- modal verbs: should, can, will

These help form various tenses and moods in English grammar.

✔ All sentences now correctly identify the helping verbs!