the verb phrase
A verb phrase is the main verb and one or more helping verbs.
Common helping verbs include these words in the box.
am | are | be | been | being | can | could | did | do |
does | doing | had | has | have | having | is | may | might |
must | shall | should | was | were | will | would |
The verb phrases are underlined in these sentences.
Many doctors have been concerned about the new flu.
Some of the new stamps were purchased by the collector.
The collector had purchased the new stamps.
We had never witnessed such a hysterical scene. Never is an adverb modifying the
main verb, witnessed, and is not part of the verb phrase.
Will you remember my address and phone number? You is the pronoun subject of
the sentence and is not part of the verb phrase.
Is Emma practicing her piano now? Emma is the sentences subject and is not part
of the verb phrase.
The runner had not been passed by any of the other contestants. Not is an adverb
and is not part of the verb phrase.
Notes
Practical English Grammar - Notes
11. Periods Question Marks and Exclamation Marks
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30. the participle and participial phrase
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31. Regular Comparison of Adjectives and Adverbs
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32. agreement involving prepositional phrases
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34. compound subject and compound predicate
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40. Parentheses Ellipsis Marks and Dashes
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42. agreement between indefinite pronouns and their antecedents
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47. subject complements predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives
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48. the noun adjective pronoun question
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50. the infinitive and infinitive phrase
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