Let's solve this step by step. The task is to
underline the main verbs and the helping verbs in each sentence.
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 actual action or state of being that the subject is performing.
- 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.
- Helping verb:
should
- Main verb:
finish
✔ Underline:
should,
finish
2.
It might rain tomorrow.
- Helping verb:
might
- Main verb:
rain
✔ Underline:
might,
rain
3.
Have you seen my keys?
- Helping verb:
have
- Main verb:
seen (past participle of "see")
✔ Underline:
have,
seen
4.
Where will you move to?
- Helping verb:
will
- Main verb:
move
✔ Underline:
will,
move
5.
They are thinking about a change in venue.
- Helping verb:
are
- Main verb:
thinking
✔ Underline:
are,
thinking
6.
We would like to go with you tomorrow.
- Helping verb:
would
- Main verb:
like
> 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.
- Helping verb:
is
- Main verb:
working
✔ Underline:
is,
working
8.
I do not want you to get sick.
- Helping verb:
do (used for emphasis or negation)
- Main verb:
want
> "do" is a helping verb here because it's used to form the negative or emphasize the verb "want".
✔ Underline:
do,
want
9.
Could you help him with that?
- Helping verb:
could
- Main verb:
help
✔ Underline:
could,
help
10.
He might listen to you.
- Helping verb:
might
- Main verb:
listen
✔ Underline:
might,
listen
11.
We have done our best.
- Helping verb:
have
- Main verb:
done (past participle of "do")
✔ Underline:
have,
done
12.
She can borrow this book.
- Helping verb:
can
- Main verb:
borrow
✔ Underline:
can,
borrow
---
Final Answer (with underlined verbs):
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:
In each sentence, we identified the
helping verb (often indicating tense, mood, or possibility) and the
main verb (the core action). Some sentences use multiple helping verbs (e.g., "have seen"), but in these examples, only one helping verb appears before the main verb.
This exercise helps students understand how verbs work together to express time, ability, obligation, or possibility.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of main verb and helping verb worksheet.
