Verb phrases | marjorie conrade - Free Printable
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Step-by-step solution for: Verb phrases | marjorie conrade
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Verb phrases | marjorie conrade
Let's solve this worksheet step by step. The task is to underline the verb phrase in each sentence.
A verb phrase includes the main verb and any helping (auxiliary) verbs, as well as any modifiers or objects that are part of the action. It expresses the complete action or state of being in a sentence.
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(1) Melissa will wait for the taxi at the corner.
➡️ *Verb phrase: will wait*
→ "will" is the helping verb; "wait" is the main verb.
---
(2) Zachary always wants to play tennis.
➡️ *Verb phrase: wants to play*
→ "wants" is the main verb; "to play" is an infinitive acting as a complement (part of the verb phrase).
> Note: In some grammar systems, "to play" may be considered separate, but here it's part of the full verb phrase meaning “desires to play.”
---
(3) I am becoming very tired of Chinese food.
➡️ *Verb phrase: am becoming*
→ "am" = helping verb; "becoming" = present participle (main verb). This is a present continuous tense.
---
(4) Jasmine has received a coupon for a free pizza.
➡️ *Verb phrase: has received*
→ "has" = helping verb; "received" = past participle. Present perfect tense.
---
(5) Erin is feeding some water to the guinea pigs.
➡️ *Verb phrase: is feeding*
→ "is" = helping verb; "feeding" = present participle. Present continuous.
---
(6) The dispenser has run out of napkins.
➡️ *Verb phrase: has run out of*
→ "has" = helping verb; "run out of" = phrasal verb (idiomatic expression). The whole phrase acts as the verb.
---
(7) The bicycle was held to the rack with a chain.
➡️ *Verb phrase: was held*
→ "was" = helping verb; "held" = past participle. Passive voice.
---
(8) The horse can carry us both up the mountain on its back.
➡️ *Verb phrase: can carry*
→ "can" = modal verb; "carry" = main verb.
---
(9) The horses have been saddled for today’s ride.
➡️ *Verb phrase: have been saddled*
→ "have" = helping verb; "been" = auxiliary; "saddled" = past participle. Past perfect passive.
---
(10) James had to run in order to catch his bus.
➡️ *Verb phrase: had to run*
→ "had to" = modal-like expression; "run" = main verb. This is a common construction for obligation/past necessity.
---
(11) The men will dig a deep hole for the new swimming pool.
➡️ *Verb phrase: will dig*
→ "will" = helping verb; "dig" = main verb.
---
(12) The house appeared to be leaning to one side.
➡️ *Verb phrase: appeared to be leaning*
→ "appeared" = main verb; "to be leaning" = infinitive phrase acting as complement. Full verb phrase includes all parts of the action.
---
(13) You can buy lunch with that money.
➡️ *Verb phrase: can buy*
→ "can" = modal; "buy" = main verb.
---
(14) Anthony’s hat was blown off of his head by a strong wind.
➡️ *Verb phrase: was blown off*
→ "was" = helping verb; "blown off" = past participle + preposition (phrasal verb). Passive voice.
---
(15) These jeans do not fit me anymore.
➡️ *Verb phrase: do not fit*
→ "do" = helping verb; "not" = negation; "fit" = main verb. Simple present negative.
---
(16) The mouse was named Shasta.
➡️ *Verb phrase: was named*
→ "was" = helping verb; "named" = past participle. Passive voice.
---
(17) Dylan can climb over that fence.
➡️ *Verb phrase: can climb*
→ "can" = modal; "climb" = main verb.
---
(18) The three children are playing in the park.
➡️ *Verb phrase: are playing*
→ "are" = helping verb; "playing" = present participle. Present continuous.
---
(19) Mrs. Foster is going to take all of us to the theater.
➡️ *Verb phrase: is going to take*
→ "is going to" = future tense construction; "take" = main verb. This is a common future form.
---
(20) These gloves will keep your hands very warm.
➡️ *Verb phrase: will keep*
→ "will" = helping verb; "keep" = main verb.
---
(21) Sarah had to grab her dog before it ran away.
➡️ *Verb phrase: had to grab*
→ "had to" = past obligation; "grab" = main verb. Similar to #10.
---
1. will wait
2. wants to play
3. am becoming
4. has received
5. is feeding
6. has run out of
7. was held
8. can carry
9. have been saddled
10. had to run
11. will dig
12. appeared to be leaning
13. can buy
14. was blown off
15. do not fit
16. was named
17. can climb
18. are playing
19. is going to take
20. will keep
21. had to grab
---
- Look for helping verbs like: *be, have, do, will, can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, would, need, used to*, etc.
- Modal verbs (can, will, must, etc.) are always followed by the base form of the verb.
- Verbs in passive voice use *be + past participle*.
- Phrasal verbs (like *run out of*, *blown off*) are often part of the verb phrase.
Let me know if you'd like this printed version formatted!
A verb phrase includes the main verb and any helping (auxiliary) verbs, as well as any modifiers or objects that are part of the action. It expresses the complete action or state of being in a sentence.
---
✔ Here’s the solution with explanations:
---
(1) Melissa will wait for the taxi at the corner.
➡️ *Verb phrase: will wait*
→ "will" is the helping verb; "wait" is the main verb.
---
(2) Zachary always wants to play tennis.
➡️ *Verb phrase: wants to play*
→ "wants" is the main verb; "to play" is an infinitive acting as a complement (part of the verb phrase).
> Note: In some grammar systems, "to play" may be considered separate, but here it's part of the full verb phrase meaning “desires to play.”
---
(3) I am becoming very tired of Chinese food.
➡️ *Verb phrase: am becoming*
→ "am" = helping verb; "becoming" = present participle (main verb). This is a present continuous tense.
---
(4) Jasmine has received a coupon for a free pizza.
➡️ *Verb phrase: has received*
→ "has" = helping verb; "received" = past participle. Present perfect tense.
---
(5) Erin is feeding some water to the guinea pigs.
➡️ *Verb phrase: is feeding*
→ "is" = helping verb; "feeding" = present participle. Present continuous.
---
(6) The dispenser has run out of napkins.
➡️ *Verb phrase: has run out of*
→ "has" = helping verb; "run out of" = phrasal verb (idiomatic expression). The whole phrase acts as the verb.
---
(7) The bicycle was held to the rack with a chain.
➡️ *Verb phrase: was held*
→ "was" = helping verb; "held" = past participle. Passive voice.
---
(8) The horse can carry us both up the mountain on its back.
➡️ *Verb phrase: can carry*
→ "can" = modal verb; "carry" = main verb.
---
(9) The horses have been saddled for today’s ride.
➡️ *Verb phrase: have been saddled*
→ "have" = helping verb; "been" = auxiliary; "saddled" = past participle. Past perfect passive.
---
(10) James had to run in order to catch his bus.
➡️ *Verb phrase: had to run*
→ "had to" = modal-like expression; "run" = main verb. This is a common construction for obligation/past necessity.
---
(11) The men will dig a deep hole for the new swimming pool.
➡️ *Verb phrase: will dig*
→ "will" = helping verb; "dig" = main verb.
---
(12) The house appeared to be leaning to one side.
➡️ *Verb phrase: appeared to be leaning*
→ "appeared" = main verb; "to be leaning" = infinitive phrase acting as complement. Full verb phrase includes all parts of the action.
---
(13) You can buy lunch with that money.
➡️ *Verb phrase: can buy*
→ "can" = modal; "buy" = main verb.
---
(14) Anthony’s hat was blown off of his head by a strong wind.
➡️ *Verb phrase: was blown off*
→ "was" = helping verb; "blown off" = past participle + preposition (phrasal verb). Passive voice.
---
(15) These jeans do not fit me anymore.
➡️ *Verb phrase: do not fit*
→ "do" = helping verb; "not" = negation; "fit" = main verb. Simple present negative.
---
(16) The mouse was named Shasta.
➡️ *Verb phrase: was named*
→ "was" = helping verb; "named" = past participle. Passive voice.
---
(17) Dylan can climb over that fence.
➡️ *Verb phrase: can climb*
→ "can" = modal; "climb" = main verb.
---
(18) The three children are playing in the park.
➡️ *Verb phrase: are playing*
→ "are" = helping verb; "playing" = present participle. Present continuous.
---
(19) Mrs. Foster is going to take all of us to the theater.
➡️ *Verb phrase: is going to take*
→ "is going to" = future tense construction; "take" = main verb. This is a common future form.
---
(20) These gloves will keep your hands very warm.
➡️ *Verb phrase: will keep*
→ "will" = helping verb; "keep" = main verb.
---
(21) Sarah had to grab her dog before it ran away.
➡️ *Verb phrase: had to grab*
→ "had to" = past obligation; "grab" = main verb. Similar to #10.
---
✔ Final Answer Summary (Underlined Verb Phrases):
1. will wait
2. wants to play
3. am becoming
4. has received
5. is feeding
6. has run out of
7. was held
8. can carry
9. have been saddled
10. had to run
11. will dig
12. appeared to be leaning
13. can buy
14. was blown off
15. do not fit
16. was named
17. can climb
18. are playing
19. is going to take
20. will keep
21. had to grab
---
🔍 Tips:
- Look for helping verbs like: *be, have, do, will, can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, would, need, used to*, etc.
- Modal verbs (can, will, must, etc.) are always followed by the base form of the verb.
- Verbs in passive voice use *be + past participle*.
- Phrasal verbs (like *run out of*, *blown off*) are often part of the verb phrase.
Let me know if you'd like this printed version formatted!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of verb phrase worksheet.
