Verbs that are made up of more than one word are verb phrases.

In verb phrases, the main

verb names the action. The helping verb helps tell the time of the action. Some common helping
verbs are: has, have, had, am, is, are, was, were, be, been, do, does, did, can, could, will,
would, and should.

 The main verb is always the last word in a verb phrase. (Animals are losing
habitats.)
 There might be more than one helping verb in a verb phrase. (We should have
saved more wetlands.)
 Helping verbs such as ‘is’, and ‘are’ show that action is happening in the present.
(Forests are cut down for wood.) ‘Was’ and ‘were’ show that the action has
happened in the past. (Once millions of acres of forest were standing in this area.)
‘Will’ show that the action is happening in the future. (Trees will disappear if we
don’t conserve them.)

should
Write a helping verb from the box that can does
Write the verb phrase in each sentence. Underline
are
the helping verb. complete each sentence.
can
is
1. For years, people have given names to their pets. 1. __________ your community have
had
2. Our rabbit is named Groucho. a recycling centre.
am
3. Pets can perform wonderful tricks. 2. People in our town ______ recycle paper,
will
4. Groucho has entertained us for years. glass, metal, and plastic if they want.
be
5. He could become a standup comic. 3. Recyclables _________ collected every
have been
6. Sometimes he will walk on his hind legs. Thursday by special trucks.
7. You could see his fluffy tail. 4. I _______ carry out the blue recycling bin
8. No one can resist his floppy ears. after breakfast.
9. Groucho is sitting on the carpet. 5. According to the guidelines, we _________
10. His ears are sticking up put the newspapers in paper bags.
11. He will be eating carrots soon. 6. The glass jars ______ washed already.
12. We should have taken his picture yesterday. 7. I wished that I __________ knowledge of
13. He was looking cute all dressed up. recycling years ago.
8. I _______ pleased that recycling in done in
my town.
9. I wonder if there will _____ another centre in
the near future.
10. Look, the truck ______ coming now!
 Write at least three main verbs for
Write each verb phrase. Underline the helping verb or verbs twice each picture. An example is shown.
and the main verb once.

1. I am watching a show about animals.

The bunny is a
2. Ginny has observed them at the zoo.
1. hopping
3. Those monkeys are grooming one another
4. The koala is sleeping in a tree. 2. ________
5. Two colourful birds have been building a nest.
6. A giraffe has stretched its neck to the top of the branches. 3. ________
7. Usually it would grab the highest leaves.
8. The elephants are playing in the water. b
Mary should
9. Their trunks can act like hoses.
4. ________
10. The mother elephant has sprayed water on her babies.
11. No visitor should feed the animals at the zoo. 5. ________
12. Zookeepers will give them the right food.
6. ________

Circle the letter next to the words that correctly identify the A chick is
underlined words and words in the sentence. 7. _________
8. _________
3. We can help wild animals in 1. This will cause an imbalance in
c 9. _________
many ways. the ecosystem.
Sue was d
i. helping verb a. helping verb 10. _________
j. main verb b. main verb
c. verb phrase 11. _________
k. verb phrase
l. not a verb d. not a verb 12. _________

4. We should recognize the 2. Some animals have lost their

A candle will
importance of every animal. food supply.
13. _________
m. helping verb e. helping verb 14. _________
n. main verb f. main verb
o. verb phrase g. verb phrase 15. _________
e
p. not a verb h. not a verb
Pedro had f
5. Every animal is playing a role in 16. _________
the ecosystem.
17. _________
I am so
q. helping verb 18. _________
cute!
r. main verb
s. verb phrase A pirate has
t. not a verb 19. _________
20. _________
6. Some species could be 21. _________
eliminated. g
Samantha did h
u. helping verb
22. _________
v. main verb
w. verb phrase 23. _________
x. not a verb
24. _________
 Write a helping verb from the box that can
complete each sentence.
Write the verb phrase in each sentence. Underline
the helping verb. 1. __________ your community have a
recycling centre. (Does)
1. For years, people have given names to their
2. People in our town ______ recycle paper,
pets.
glass, metal, and plastic if they want.
2. Our rabbit is named Groucho.
3. Pets can perform wonderful tricks.
3. Recyclables _________ collected every
4. Groucho has entertained us for years.
Thursday by special trucks. (are)
5. He could become a standup comic.
6. Sometimes he will walk on his hind legs.
4. I _______ carry out the blue recycling bin
7. You could see his fluffy tail.
after breakfast. (will)
8. No one can resist his floppy ears.
9. Groucho is sitting on the carpet.
5. According to the guidelines, we _________
10. His ears are sticking up
put the newspapers in paper bags. (should)
11. He will be eating carrots soon.
12. We should have taken his picture yesterday.
6. The glass jars ______ washed already.
13. He was looking cute all dressed up.
(have been)
Verbal phrase is highlighted. 7. I wished that I __________ knowledge of
recycling years ago. (had)

Write each verb phrase. Underline the helping verb or verbs twice 8. I _______ pleased that recycling in done in
and the main verb once. my town. (am)

1. I am watching a show about animals. 9. I wonder if there will _____ another centre in
2. Ginny has observed them at the zoo. the near future. (be)
3. Those monkeys are grooming one another
4. The koala is sleeping in a tree. 10. Look, the truck ______ coming now! (is)
5. Two colourful birds have been building a nest. 1. We can help wild animals in many
6. A giraffe has stretched its neck to the top of the branches. ways.
5. This will cause an imbalance in
7. Usually it would grab the highest leaves. the ecosystem.
a. helping verb
8. The elephants are playing in the water. b. main verb
n. helping verb
9. Their trunks can act like hoses. c. verb phrase
o. main verb
d. not a verb
10. The mother elephant has sprayed water on her babies. p. verb phrase
11. No visitor should feed the animals at the zoo. 2. We should recognize the importance q. not a verb

12. Zookeepers will give them the right food. of every animal.
6. Some animals have lost their
e. helping verb food supply.
Main verb is highlighted f. main verb
g. verb phrase r. helping verb
h. not a verb s. main verb
t. verb phrase
3. Every animal is playing a role in the u. not a verb
ecosystem.

i. helping verb
j. main verb
k. verb phrase
l. not a verb

4. Some species could be eliminated.

ANSWERS WILL VARY
m. helping verb
n. main verb
o. verb phrase
p. not a verb