Identifying Verb Phrases: Name: Date | PDF | Linguistics | Grammar - Free Printable
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Step-by-step solution for: Identifying Verb Phrases: Name: Date | PDF | Linguistics | Grammar
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Identifying Verb Phrases: Name: Date | PDF | Linguistics | Grammar
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 go with it. It expresses the action or state of being in a sentence.
We’ll go through each sentence and identify the verb phrase.
---
✔ Verb Phrase: *had to run*
*(“had” is the auxiliary verb; “to run” is the infinitive verb)*
---
✔ Verb Phrase: *was held*
*(Passive voice: “was” = auxiliary, “held” = past participle)*
---
✔ Verb Phrase: *is coming*
*(Present continuous tense: “is” = auxiliary, “coming” = present participle)*
---
✔ Verb Phrase: *is feeding*
*(Present continuous: “is” = auxiliary, “feeding” = present participle)*
---
✔ Verb Phrase: *had to grab*
*(Modal-like construction: “had to” + base verb “grab”)*
---
✔ Verb Phrase: *can buy*
*(Modal “can” + base verb “buy”)*
---
✔ Verb Phrase: *was named*
*(Passive voice: “was” = auxiliary, “named” = past participle)*
---
✔ Verb Phrase: *went to sleep*
*(“went” is the main verb; “to sleep” is an infinitive phrase acting as a complement — but “went” is the only verb here. However, "go to sleep" is a phrasal verb, so the entire phrase “went to sleep” is the verb phrase.)*
✔ Verb Phrase: *went to sleep*
---
✔ Verb Phrase: *am becoming*
*(Present continuous: “am” = auxiliary, “becoming” = present participle)*
---
✔ Verb Phrase: *appeared to be leaning*
*(“appeared” = main verb; “to be leaning” = infinitive phrase with progressive form — all together form a verb phrase)*
---
✔ Verb Phrase: *was resting*
*(Past continuous: “was” = auxiliary, “resting” = present participle)*
---
✔ Verb Phrase: *wants*
*(Simple present: “wants” is the main verb — no auxiliary here)*
---
✔ Verb Phrase: *have been taken care of*
*(Perfect passive: “have” = auxiliary, “been” = auxiliary, “taken” = past participle)*
---
✔ Verb Phrase: *fixed*
*(Simple past: “fixed” is the main verb)*
---
✔ Verb Phrase: *has been cleaned*
*(Present perfect passive: “has” = auxiliary, “been” = auxiliary, “cleaned” = past participle)*
---
✔ Verb Phrase: *can climb*
*(Modal “can” + base verb “climb”)*
---
✔ Verb Phrase: *is reading*
*(Present continuous: “is” = auxiliary, “reading” = present participle)*
---
✔ Verb Phrase: *will keep*
*(Future tense: “will” = auxiliary, “keep” = base verb)*
---
✔ Verb Phrase: *is making*
*(Present continuous: “is” = auxiliary, “making” = present participle)*
---
✔ Verb Phrase: *do not fit*
*(Present simple negative: “do” = auxiliary, “not” = negation, “fit” = main verb)*
---
✔ Verb Phrase: *will wait*
*(Future tense: “will” = auxiliary, “wait” = base verb)*
---
✔ Verb Phrase: *are playing*
*(Present continuous: “are” = auxiliary, “playing” = present participle)*
---
1. had to run
2. was held
3. is coming
4. is feeding
5. had to grab
6. can buy
7. was named
8. went to sleep
9. am becoming
10. appeared to be leaning
11. was resting
12. wants
13. have been taken care of
14. fixed
15. has been cleaned
16. can climb
17. is reading
18. will keep
19. is making
20. do not fit
21. will wait
22. are playing
---
- A verb phrase may include:
- Helping verbs (e.g., *is*, *has*, *will*, *can*, *had*)
- Main verbs (e.g., *run*, *eat*, *read*)
- Infinitives (e.g., *to play*, *to catch*)
- Participles (e.g., *running*, *being*)
- Look for action or state of being, and include all parts that make up the complete verb structure.
- In passive constructions (*was held*, *has been cleaned*), both auxiliary and past participle are part of the verb phrase.
This exercise helps students recognize how verbs work in different tenses, voices, and moods.
Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a printable answer key!
A verb phrase includes the main verb and any helping (auxiliary) verbs, as well as any modifiers or objects that go with it. It expresses the action or state of being in a sentence.
We’ll go through each sentence and identify the verb phrase.
---
(1) Logan had to run in order to catch his bus.
✔ Verb Phrase: *had to run*
*(“had” is the auxiliary verb; “to run” is the infinitive verb)*
---
(2) The bicycle was held to the rack with a chain.
✔ Verb Phrase: *was held*
*(Passive voice: “was” = auxiliary, “held” = past participle)*
---
(3) The school bus is coming soon.
✔ Verb Phrase: *is coming*
*(Present continuous tense: “is” = auxiliary, “coming” = present participle)*
---
(4) Anna is feeding some apples to the rabbits.
✔ Verb Phrase: *is feeding*
*(Present continuous: “is” = auxiliary, “feeding” = present participle)*
---
(5) Elizabeth had to grab her dog before it ran away.
✔ Verb Phrase: *had to grab*
*(Modal-like construction: “had to” + base verb “grab”)*
---
(6) You can buy a hot dog with a dollar.
✔ Verb Phrase: *can buy*
*(Modal “can” + base verb “buy”)*
---
(7) The mouse was named Bear.
✔ Verb Phrase: *was named*
*(Passive voice: “was” = auxiliary, “named” = past participle)*
---
(8) David went to sleep during the late movie.
✔ Verb Phrase: *went to sleep*
*(“went” is the main verb; “to sleep” is an infinitive phrase acting as a complement — but “went” is the only verb here. However, "go to sleep" is a phrasal verb, so the entire phrase “went to sleep” is the verb phrase.)*
✔ Verb Phrase: *went to sleep*
---
(9) I am becoming very tired of Mexican food.
✔ Verb Phrase: *am becoming*
*(Present continuous: “am” = auxiliary, “becoming” = present participle)*
---
(10) The fence appeared to be leaning to one side.
✔ Verb Phrase: *appeared to be leaning*
*(“appeared” = main verb; “to be leaning” = infinitive phrase with progressive form — all together form a verb phrase)*
---
(11) His hand was resting on the steering wheel.
✔ Verb Phrase: *was resting*
*(Past continuous: “was” = auxiliary, “resting” = present participle)*
---
(12) Alexander always wants to play tennis.
✔ Verb Phrase: *wants*
*(Simple present: “wants” is the main verb — no auxiliary here)*
---
(13) All of my needs have been taken care of.
✔ Verb Phrase: *have been taken care of*
*(Perfect passive: “have” = auxiliary, “been” = auxiliary, “taken” = past participle)*
---
(14) I fixed the heater so we can be warm tonight.
✔ Verb Phrase: *fixed*
*(Simple past: “fixed” is the main verb)*
---
(15) The bathroom has been cleaned.
✔ Verb Phrase: *has been cleaned*
*(Present perfect passive: “has” = auxiliary, “been” = auxiliary, “cleaned” = past participle)*
---
(16) Nathan can climb over that wall.
✔ Verb Phrase: *can climb*
*(Modal “can” + base verb “climb”)*
---
(17) Christopher is reading all of the Harry Potter books in one sitting.
✔ Verb Phrase: *is reading*
*(Present continuous: “is” = auxiliary, “reading” = present participle)*
---
(18) These gloves will keep your hands nice and warm.
✔ Verb Phrase: *will keep*
*(Future tense: “will” = auxiliary, “keep” = base verb)*
---
(19) Our dryer is making an awful sound.
✔ Verb Phrase: *is making*
*(Present continuous: “is” = auxiliary, “making” = present participle)*
---
(20) These jeans do not fit me anymore.
✔ Verb Phrase: *do not fit*
*(Present simple negative: “do” = auxiliary, “not” = negation, “fit” = main verb)*
---
(21) I will wait for you outside.
✔ Verb Phrase: *will wait*
*(Future tense: “will” = auxiliary, “wait” = base verb)*
---
(22) The three children are playing in the park.
✔ Verb Phrase: *are playing*
*(Present continuous: “are” = auxiliary, “playing” = present participle)*
---
✔ Final Answer Summary (Underlined Verb Phrases):
1. had to run
2. was held
3. is coming
4. is feeding
5. had to grab
6. can buy
7. was named
8. went to sleep
9. am becoming
10. appeared to be leaning
11. was resting
12. wants
13. have been taken care of
14. fixed
15. has been cleaned
16. can climb
17. is reading
18. will keep
19. is making
20. do not fit
21. will wait
22. are playing
---
📝 Explanation:
- A verb phrase may include:
- Helping verbs (e.g., *is*, *has*, *will*, *can*, *had*)
- Main verbs (e.g., *run*, *eat*, *read*)
- Infinitives (e.g., *to play*, *to catch*)
- Participles (e.g., *running*, *being*)
- Look for action or state of being, and include all parts that make up the complete verb structure.
- In passive constructions (*was held*, *has been cleaned*), both auxiliary and past participle are part of the verb phrase.
This exercise helps students recognize how verbs work in different tenses, voices, and moods.
Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a printable answer key!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of verb phrases worksheet.
