Let's solve the task step by step.
Task:
Underline the Main Verb and Circle the Helping Verbs in these Sentences
We are given 7 sentences, and for each one, we need to:
-
Underline the main verb (the primary action or state of being).
-
Circle the helping verbs (also called auxiliary verbs — words like *is*, *are*, *was*, *have*, *will*, *can*, *must*, etc., that help form tenses or moods).
---
Let’s go through each sentence:
---
1. You must pay your debts.
-
Main verb: *pay* → This is the action.
-
Helping verb: *must* → It helps express obligation.
✔ Underline:
pay
✔ Circle:
must
---
2. We need to understand her situation.
-
Main verb: *need* → The main action here.
- But wait: "to understand" is an infinitive phrase. "Need" is the main verb, and it's followed by an infinitive ("to understand"), which is not a helping verb.
- So,
no helping verb here.
✔ Underline:
need
✔ No helping verb to circle
> Note: Some might think “to” is a helping verb, but
“to” is part of the infinitive, not an auxiliary verb.
---
3. I am walking down the dusty road.
-
Main verb: *walking* → Present participle form of the action.
-
Helping verb: *am* → Part of the present continuous tense.
✔ Underline:
walking
✔ Circle:
am
---
4. Naha will carry the boxes.
-
Main verb: *carry* → The action.
-
Helping verb: *will* → Expresses future tense.
✔ Underline:
carry
✔ Circle:
will
---
5. Dad is going to the supermarket.
-
Main verb: *going* → Action of moving.
-
Helping verb: *is* → Part of the present continuous tense.
✔ Underline:
going
✔ Circle:
is
---
6. I have found the keys.
-
Main verb: *found* → Past participle of "find".
-
Helping verb: *have* → Forms present perfect tense.
✔ Underline:
found
✔ Circle:
have
---
7. Shall I give him the books?
-
Main verb: *give* → The action.
-
Helping verb: *shall* → Used to form the future tense in questions.
✔ Underline:
give
✔ Circle:
shall
---
8. The train will arrive at 2:00.
-
Main verb: *arrive* → The action.
-
Helping verb: *will* → Future tense marker.
✔ Underline:
arrive
✔ Circle:
will
---
Final Answers:
1. You
must pay your debts.
→ Underline:
pay; Circle:
must
2. We
need to understand her situation.
→ Underline:
need; No helping verb
3. I
am walking down the dusty road.
→ Underline:
walking; Circle:
am
4. Naha
will carry the boxes.
→ Underline:
carry; Circle:
will
5. Dad
is going to the supermarket.
→ Underline:
going; Circle:
is
6. I
have found the keys.
→ Underline:
found; Circle:
have
7.
Shall I
give him the books?
→ Underline:
give; Circle:
shall
8. The train
will arrive at 2:00.
→ Underline:
arrive; Circle:
will
---
Summary of Rules:
-
Main verb = the core action or state.
-
Helping (auxiliary) verbs = verbs like *be*, *have*, *do*, *will*, *can*, *must*, *shall*, *could*, *would*, etc., that come before the main verb to form tenses or moods.
Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a printable worksheet!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of main verb and helping verb worksheet.
