1. Identify the Main Verb:
* Action Verbs: Describe actions (e.g., run, jump, eat, write).
* Linking Verbs: Connect the subject to a noun or adjective that renames or describes it (e.g., is, am, are, was, were, seem, become).
2. Look for Helping Verbs:
* Helping verbs work with the main verb to create a verb phrase. They indicate tense, mood, or voice.
* Common helping verbs:
* Be verbs: am, is, are, was, were, being, been
* Have verbs: have, has, had
* Do verbs: do, does, did
* Modal verbs: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would
3. Combine the Main Verb and Helping Verbs:
* The main verb and any helping verbs together form the verb phrase.
Examples:
* "She is running a marathon."
* Main verb: running
* Helping verb: is
* Verb phrase: is running
* "They have been waiting for hours."
* Main verb: waiting
* Helping verbs: have, been
* Verb phrase: have been waiting
* "The children will play outside."
* Main verb: play
* Helping verb: will
* Verb phrase: will play
Tips:
* Start with the subject: The subject of the sentence will tell you who or what is doing the action.
* Ask "What is happening?" or "What is being done?" The answer will help you identify the verb phrase.
* Beware of contractions: Contractions like "isn't" and "don't" are actually verb phrases (is not, do not).
Let me know if you'd like to practice with some sentences!