Question

for chapter 3: parts of speech overview
helping verbs and main verbs
3d. a helping verb (auxiliary verb) helps the main verb express action or a state of being.
example christopher can sing beautifully.
a verb phrase contains one main verb and one or more helping verbs. sometimes a verb phrase is interrupted by another part of speech.
examples the code was hidden inside an old book. the helping verb is was.
sparky will not bite you. the helping verb is will.

exercise a underline the verb phrase in each sentence. then, draw another line under each helping verb.
examples 1. people have celebrated birthdays in many different ways.

1. i didn’t forget your birthday.
2. perhaps we should learn more about birthday celebrations in various countries.
3. mexicans will sometimes buy a piñata for a birthday party.
4. the piñata is filled with small treats and gifts.
5. in mexico, families will usually celebrate a girl’s fifteenth birthday with a special party.
6. this traditional celebration is called a quinceañera.
7. in the united states, a girl’s sixteenth birthday is often treated as a special birthday.
8. some people do not like birthday celebrations.
9. they might not tell you their age.
10. other people have celebrated in spectacular ways.
11. maybe i will celebrate my birthday in a new way this year.

exercise b underline the verb phrases in the following paragraph. then, draw a second line under the helping verb in each phrase. hint: the paragraph contains ten verb phrases.
example a storm will sometimes produce thunder and lightning.
scientists can explain the causes of thunder. the sound of thunder is caused by the heat of lightning. a bolt of lightning can heat nearby air molecules. the air molecules will then expand, and they will also move. their movement can create sounds and echoes. because light can travel faster than sound, you will first see the lightning. the flash will occur almost immediately; only afterward will you hear the thunder.

Answer:

Exercise A Solutions:

1. Perhaps we should learn more about birthday celebrations in various countries.

• Verb phrase: $\underline{\underline{\text{should}}}$ $\underline{\text{learn}}$
• Explanation: "should" is the helping verb, "learn" is the main verb.

2. Mexicans will sometimes buy a piñata for a birthday party.

• Verb phrase: $\underline{\underline{\text{will}}}$ $\underline{\text{buy}}$
• Explanation: "will" is the helping verb, "buy" is the main verb.

3. The piñata is filled with small treats and gifts.

• Verb phrase: $\underline{\underline{\text{is}}}$ $\underline{\text{filled}}$
• Explanation: "is" is the helping verb, "filled" is the main verb (passive voice).

4. In Mexico, families will usually celebrate a girl’s fifteenth birthday with a special party.

• Verb phrase: $\underline{\underline{\text{will}}}$ $\underline{\text{celebrate}}$
• Explanation: "will" is the helping verb, "celebrate" is the main verb.

5. This traditional celebration is called a quinceañera.

• Verb phrase: $\underline{\underline{\text{is}}}$ $\underline{\text{called}}$
• Explanation: "is" is the helping verb, "called" is the main verb (passive voice).

6. In the United States, a girl’s sixteenth birthday is often treated as a special birthday.

• Verb phrase: $\underline{\underline{\text{is}}}$ $\underline{\text{treated}}$
• Explanation: "is" is the helping verb, "treated" is the main verb (passive voice).

7. Some people do not like birthday celebrations.

• Verb phrase: $\underline{\underline{\text{do}}}$ (not) $\underline{\text{like}}$
• Explanation: "do" is the helping verb, "like" is the main verb.

8. They might not tell you their age.

• Verb phrase: $\underline{\underline{\text{might}}}$ (not) $\underline{\text{tell}}$
• Explanation: "might" is the helping verb, "tell" is the main verb.

9. Other people have celebrated in spectacular ways.

• Verb phrase: $\underline{\underline{\text{have}}}$ $\underline{\text{celebrated}}$
• Explanation: "have" is the helping verb, "celebrated" is the main verb (past participle).

10. Maybe I will celebrate my birthday in a new way this year.

• Verb phrase: $\underline{\underline{\text{will}}}$ $\underline{\text{celebrate}}$
• Explanation: "will" is the helping verb, "celebrate" is the main verb.

Exercise B Solutions (Identifying Verb Phrases and Helping Verbs):

1. Scientists $\underline{\underline{\text{can}}}$ $\underline{\text{explain}}$ the causes of thunder.
2. The sound of thunder $\underline{\underline{\text{is}}}$ $\underline{\text{caused}}$ by the heat of lightning.
3. A bolt of lightning $\underline{\underline{\text{can}}}$ $\underline{\text{heat}}$ nearby air molecules.
4. The air molecules $\underline{\underline{\text{will}}}$ then $\underline{\text{expand}}$,
5. and they $\underline{\underline{\text{will}}}$ also $\underline{\text{move}}$.
6. Their movement $\underline{\underline{\text{can}}}$ $\underline{\text{create}}$ sounds and echoes.
7. Because light $\underline{\underline{\text{can}}}$ $\underline{\text{travel}}$ faster than sound,
8. you $\underline{\underline{\text{will}}}$ first $\underline{\text{see}}$ the lightning.
9. The flash $\underline{\underline{\text{will}}}$ $\underline{\text{occur}}$ almost immediately;
10. only afterward $\underline{\underline{\text{will}}}$ you $\underline{\text{hear}}$ the thunder.

Key Notes:

• A verb phrase includes the main verb and one or more helping verbs (auxiliaries).
• Helping verbs (e.g., can, will, is, do, have, might) “help” the main verb express tense, mood, or voice.
• In passive voice (e.g., is caused, is treated), the helping verb (is) pairs with a past participle (caused, treated).