Verb Phrase Worksheets - Free Printable

Let's solve the task step by step.

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Task:

Underline the verb phrase in each sentence.

We are told:
> A verb phrase consists of the main verb, any modal and/or auxiliary verbs, and modifiers. Verb phrases may also be phrases that function as adverbs or adjectives and contain a verb and its complements and objects.

So, we’re looking for the entire verb phrase, which includes:
- The main verb
- Any auxiliary (helping) verbs (e.g., *has*, *is*, *have*, *had*, *will*, *would*, *must*)
- Any modal verbs (e.g., *can*, *may*, *must*, *should*, *will*)
- Any modifiers (like *been*, *have been*, etc.)

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Now let’s go through each sentence and identify the verb phrase.

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1) Jeff has been waiting for you since morning.

- Main verb: *waiting*
- Auxiliary verbs: *has*, *been* → these form a perfect continuous tense
- So the verb phrase is: has been waiting

✔ Underline: *has been waiting*

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2) Nancy is improving her French.

- Main verb: *improving*
- Auxiliary verb: *is* → present continuous tense
- So the verb phrase is: is improving

✔ Underline: *is improving*

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3) Gary would have been very happy with the results.

- Modal: *would*
- Auxiliary: *have*, *been*
- This is a conditional perfect construction: *would have been*
- Note: "very happy" is an adjective phrase, not part of the verb phrase.
- So the verb phrase is: would have been

✔ Underline: *would have been*

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4) You might enjoy some of this music too.

- Modal: *might*
- Main verb: *enjoy*
- So the verb phrase is: might enjoy

✔ Underline: *might enjoy*

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5) Jean was surprised.

- Main verb: *was* (linking verb)
- Complement: *surprised* (adjective)
- But note: *was* is a form of "to be", so it's a linking verb.
- The verb phrase is just: was (since "surprised" is a complement, not part of the verb)

✔ Underline: *was*

(Note: Even though "was surprised" describes the state, only "was" is the verb. "Surprised" is a predicate adjective.)

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6) These artifacts must be worth millions.

- Modal: *must*
- Main verb: *be* (linking verb)
- Complement: *worth millions*
- So the verb phrase is: must be

✔ Underline: *must be*

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7) You must attend this workshop on positive thinking.

- Modal: *must*
- Main verb: *attend*
- So the verb phrase is: must attend

✔ Underline: *must attend*

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8) Will you be joining us for the picnic?

- Modal: *will*
- Auxiliary: *be*
- Main verb: *joining*
- So the verb phrase is: will be joining

✔ Underline: *will be joining*

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9) Andrew has worked abroad for many years.

- Auxiliary: *has*
- Main verb: *worked*
- So the verb phrase is: has worked

✔ Underline: *has worked*

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10) Kevin will buy a new house.

- Modal: *will*
- Main verb: *buy*
- So the verb phrase is: will buy

✔ Underline: *will buy*

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✔ Final Answers:

1) Jeff has been waiting for you since morning.
2) Nancy is improving her French.
3) Gary would have been very happy with the results.
4) You might enjoy some of this music too.
5) Jean was surprised.
6) These artifacts must be worth millions.
7) You must attend this workshop on positive thinking.
8) Will you be joining us for the picnic?
9) Andrew has worked abroad for many years.
10) Kevin will buy a new house.

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🔍 Explanation Summary:

- Verb phrases include the main verb and all helping/modals/auxiliary verbs.
- We don’t include complements (like objects or adjectives), unless they're part of the verb structure.
- Linking verbs like *was*, *be*, *become*, etc., are still part of the verb phrase.
- Modals (*will, would, must, might*) are always part of the verb phrase.
- Perfect tenses use *have/had/has* + past participle → e.g., *has been waiting*
- Continuous tenses use *be* + present participle → e.g., *is improving*

This exercise helps students identify how verbs work together to express actions, states, or conditions in complex forms.