What is a Verb Phrase?

A verb phrase consists of an auxiliary, or helping, verb and a main verb. The helping verb always precedes the main verb.

A helping verb includes forms of be, such as am, is, are, was, were, being, and been; forms of have, such as has and had; forms of do, such as does and did; forms of can, such as could, will, would, and shall; and forms of should, such as may, might, and must.

Helping Verb Examples:

Helping Verb Example: Despite our reservations, we did go out in the snowstorm.

(Did go is the verb phrase. Did is the helping verb, and go is the main verb.)

Helping Verb Example: Uma is coming with us to the movie.

(Is coming is the verb phrase. Is is the helping verb, and coming is the main verb.)

Helping Verb Example: We will distribute pamphlets as part of our presentation.

(Will distribute is the verb phrase. Will is the helping verb, and distribute is the main verb.)

Helping Verb Example: Ethan should take his watch to get repaired.

(Should take is the verb phrase. Should is the helping verb, and take is the main verb.)

Helping Verb Example: We have gotten a lot of rainfall lately.

(Have gotten is the verb phrase. Have is the helping verb, and gotten is the main verb.)

Helping Verb Example: Lars might need some help with his car.

(Might need is the verb phrase. Might is the helping verb, and need is the main verb.)

Helping Verb Example: Jonah and Elsa must collect donations for the charity.

(Must collect is the verb phrase. Must is the helping verb, and collect is the main verb.)

Helping Verb Example: You can call me when you need a ride.

(Can call is the verb phrase. Can is the helping verb, and call is the main verb.)

Helping Verb Example: Mom and Dad are going to France in the springtime.

(Are going is the verb phrase. Are is the helping verb, and going is the main verb.)

Helping Verb Example: Rescuers will help hose in need.

(Will help is the verb phrase. Will is the helping verb, and help is the main verb.)

Note that a helping verb can also function as a main verb, either as part of a verb phrase or on their own. Also, some verb phrases consist of more than one helping or main verb.

Multiple Helping Verb Examples:

Helping Verb Example: Internet reception has been spotty lately.

(Has been is the verb phrase. Has is the helping verb, and been is the main verb.)

Helping Verb Example: The Meyers have been taking their dog with them on trips.

(Have been taking is the verb phrase. Have and been are the helping verbs, and taking is the main verb.)

Subjects and Modifiers Within Verb Phrases

Some sentences will feature a subject or a modifier placed in between a verb phrase’s helping and main verbs. Note that the subject or modifier is not considered part of the verb phrase.

Verb Phrase Examples:

Verb Phrase Example: Do you think she will join us?

(Do think is the verb phrase. Do is the helping verb, and think is the main verb. You is a pronoun functioning as a subject. It is not part of the verb phrase.)

Verb Phrase Example: Could Elizabeth bring us our coats?

(Could bring is the verb phrase. Could is the helping verb, and bring is the main verb. Elizabeth is a noun functioning as a subject. It is not part of the verb phrase.)

Verb Phrase Example: Due to the extreme heat, we did not go to the beach.

(Did go is the verb phrase. Did is the helping verb, and go is the main verb. Not is an adverb and is not part of the verb phrase.)

Verb Phrase Example: Theresa will soon have her dream job.

(Will have is the verb phrase. Will is the helping verb, and have is the main verb. Soon is an adverb and is not part of the verb phrase.)