Lesson on Helping Verbs

1. Helping Verbs

2. Helping Verbs
• Sometimes verbs are only one word long.
• Other times, there are a few of them. They
make up a VERB PHRASE.
• The LAST verb in the verb phrase is either
an action verb or a linking verb.
• All the other verbs in the verb phrase are
HELPING VERBS.

3. Examples: Which are the Helping Verbs?
• I should have gone.
• She must see that movie.
• Does he like that book?
• He might eat lunch here.
• She must have tried to be on time.
• She might have studied late last night.

4. Examples: Which are the Helping Verbs?
• I should have gone.
• She must see that movie.
• Does he like that book?
• He might eat lunch here.
• She must have tried to be on time.
• She might have studied late last night.

5. Know the List of Helping Verbs
• May, Might, Must
• Be, Being, Been, Am, Are, Is, Was, Were
• Do, Does, Did
• Should, Could, Would
• Have, Has, Had
• Will, Shall, Can

6. Be careful of the verbs in color,
because if they are the last verb in a
verb phrase, they become Action
Verbs or Linking Verbs.
• May, Might, Must
• Be, Being, Been, Am, Are, Is, Was, Were
• Do, Does, Did
• Should, Could, Would
• Have, Has, Had
• Will, Shall, Can (“will” and “can” are
action verbs but only rarely)

7. Be careful of the verbs in color,
because if they are the last verb in a
verb phrase, they become Action
Verbs or Linking Verbs.
• May, Might, Must
• Be, Being, Been, Am, Are, Is, Was, Were
• Do, Does, Did
• Should, Could, Would
• Have, Has, Had
• Will, Shall, Can (“will” and “can” are
action verbs but only rarely)