Identify main verbs and helping verbs

Key Notes:-

1. What is a Verb?

  • A verb is a word that shows an action or a state of being. Verbs are important in every sentence.

2. Main Verbs

  • Definition: The main verb is the most important verb in a sentence. It tells what the subject is doing.
  • Examples:
    • In the sentence “The cat sleeps,” the main verb is sleeps.
    • In “She runs every morning,” the main verb is runs.

3. Helping Verbs

  • Definition: Helping verbs, also called auxiliary verbs, are verbs that help the main verb. They add more meaning to the action or state of being.
  • Common Helping Verbs: is, are, was, were, will, have, has, had, can, could, should, would, may, might, must.
  • Examples:
    • In the sentence “She is running fast,” is is the helping verb, and running is the main verb.
    • In “They have finished their homework,” have is the helping verb, and finished is the main verb.

4. Identifying Main and Helping Verbs

  • Step 1: Look for the main verb first. Ask: “What is the subject doing?”
  • Step 2: If there are more verbs in the sentence, check if any of them are helping the main verb.
  • Example: In “The dog has been barking all night,” barking is the main verb, and has been are the helping verbs.

5. Practice Identifying Verbs

  • Read sentences and identify the main verbs and any helping verbs.
  • Example Sentences:
    • “She can swim.” (Main verb: swim, Helping verb: can)
    • “They are playing soccer.” (Main verb: playing, Helping verb: are)

Let’s practice!🖊️