Verb phrases exercises worksheet - Free Printable
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Step-by-step solution for: Verb phrases exercises worksheet
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Verb phrases exercises worksheet
Let's solve this step by step.
We are asked to underline the verb phrase in each sentence. A verb phrase includes a main verb and any helping (auxiliary) verbs, and sometimes includes complements or objects that go with the verb.
Remember:
- Verb phrases can include modals (like *will, must, could, should*), perfect tenses (*have been, had been*), progressive tenses (*is trying, was surprised*), etc.
- The verb phrase is the predicate part of the sentence — what the subject is doing.
---
Let’s go through each sentence:
---
1) Jeff has been waiting for you since morning.
✔ Verb phrase: *has been waiting*
→ "has" and "been" are helping verbs; "waiting" is the main verb. This is a present perfect progressive tense.
---
2) Nancy is trying to improve her French.
✔ Verb phrase: *is trying*
→ "is" is the helping verb; "trying" is the main verb. Present progressive tense.
---
3) Gary would have been very happy with the results.
✔ Verb phrase: *would have been*
→ "would" and "have" are helping verbs; "been" is the main verb. This is a conditional perfect tense.
---
4) You might enjoy some of this music too.
✔ Verb phrase: *might enjoy*
→ "might" is a modal (helping verb); "enjoy" is the main verb.
---
5) Jean was surprised to know the news.
✔ Verb phrase: *was surprised*
→ "was" is the helping verb; "surprised" is the past participle used as a complement (this is a passive construction). Note: "to know the news" is an infinitive phrase modifying "surprised", not part of the verb phrase.
---
6) These artifacts must be worth millions.
✔ Verb phrase: *must be*
→ "must" is a modal; "be" is the main verb. This is a modal verb phrase expressing necessity or possibility.
---
7) You must attend this workshop on positive thinking.
✔ Verb phrase: *must attend*
→ "must" is the modal; "attend" is the main verb.
---
8) Will you be joining us for the picnic?
✔ Verb phrase: *will be joining*
→ "will" and "be" are helping verbs; "joining" is the main verb. Future progressive tense.
---
9) Having worked abroad for many years, Andrew speaks many languages.
✔ Verb phrase: *speaks*
→ "speaks" is the main verb. The beginning of the sentence ("Having worked...") is a participial phrase (not a verb phrase because it doesn't function as the predicate). So only "speaks" is the verb phrase here.
---
10) Kevin didn't have money enough to buy a house.
✔ Verb phrase: *didn't have*
→ "didn't" = "did not"; "did" is the auxiliary verb, "have" is the main verb. This is a negative past simple verb phrase.
---
1) Jeff has been waiting for you since morning.
2) Nancy is trying to improve 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 to know the news.
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) Having worked abroad for many years, Andrew speaks many languages.
10) Kevin didn't have money enough to buy a house.
---
- We identify the main verb and all helping verbs (auxiliaries/modals) that come before it.
- Verb phrases may include tense markers (e.g., has been, will be).
- Be careful with participial phrases (like "having worked") — they are not verb phrases unless they're part of the predicate.
- In sentence 5, "was surprised" is a verb phrase where "surprised" is a past participle used in a passive construction.
Let me know if you'd like this formatted for printing or copying!
We are asked to underline the verb phrase in each sentence. A verb phrase includes a main verb and any helping (auxiliary) verbs, and sometimes includes complements or objects that go with the verb.
Remember:
- Verb phrases can include modals (like *will, must, could, should*), perfect tenses (*have been, had been*), progressive tenses (*is trying, was surprised*), etc.
- The verb phrase is the predicate part of the sentence — what the subject is doing.
---
Let’s go through each sentence:
---
1) Jeff has been waiting for you since morning.
✔ Verb phrase: *has been waiting*
→ "has" and "been" are helping verbs; "waiting" is the main verb. This is a present perfect progressive tense.
---
2) Nancy is trying to improve her French.
✔ Verb phrase: *is trying*
→ "is" is the helping verb; "trying" is the main verb. Present progressive tense.
---
3) Gary would have been very happy with the results.
✔ Verb phrase: *would have been*
→ "would" and "have" are helping verbs; "been" is the main verb. This is a conditional perfect tense.
---
4) You might enjoy some of this music too.
✔ Verb phrase: *might enjoy*
→ "might" is a modal (helping verb); "enjoy" is the main verb.
---
5) Jean was surprised to know the news.
✔ Verb phrase: *was surprised*
→ "was" is the helping verb; "surprised" is the past participle used as a complement (this is a passive construction). Note: "to know the news" is an infinitive phrase modifying "surprised", not part of the verb phrase.
---
6) These artifacts must be worth millions.
✔ Verb phrase: *must be*
→ "must" is a modal; "be" is the main verb. This is a modal verb phrase expressing necessity or possibility.
---
7) You must attend this workshop on positive thinking.
✔ Verb phrase: *must attend*
→ "must" is the modal; "attend" is the main verb.
---
8) Will you be joining us for the picnic?
✔ Verb phrase: *will be joining*
→ "will" and "be" are helping verbs; "joining" is the main verb. Future progressive tense.
---
9) Having worked abroad for many years, Andrew speaks many languages.
✔ Verb phrase: *speaks*
→ "speaks" is the main verb. The beginning of the sentence ("Having worked...") is a participial phrase (not a verb phrase because it doesn't function as the predicate). So only "speaks" is the verb phrase here.
---
10) Kevin didn't have money enough to buy a house.
✔ Verb phrase: *didn't have*
→ "didn't" = "did not"; "did" is the auxiliary verb, "have" is the main verb. This is a negative past simple verb phrase.
---
✔ Final Answer (with underlined verb phrases):
1) Jeff has been waiting for you since morning.
2) Nancy is trying to improve 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 to know the news.
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) Having worked abroad for many years, Andrew speaks many languages.
10) Kevin didn't have money enough to buy a house.
---
🔍 Explanation Summary:
- We identify the main verb and all helping verbs (auxiliaries/modals) that come before it.
- Verb phrases may include tense markers (e.g., has been, will be).
- Be careful with participial phrases (like "having worked") — they are not verb phrases unless they're part of the predicate.
- In sentence 5, "was surprised" is a verb phrase where "surprised" is a past participle used in a passive construction.
Let me know if you'd like this formatted for printing or copying!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of verb phrases worksheet.
