Understanding Verb Phrases
A Grade 6 ELA worksheet to help students identify and understand verb phrases in sentences.
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Understanding Verb Phrases
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Read each question carefully and follow the instructions to demonstrate your understanding of verb phrases.
A verb phrase is made up of a main verb and one or more helping verbs (also called auxiliary verbs). Helping verbs include forms of 'be' (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been), 'have' (have, has, had), and 'do' (do, does, did), as well as modals (can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would).
Example: The students *are studying* for their test. (Verb phrase: are studying)
1. Which of the following sentences contains a verb phrase?
The cat slept soundly.
She will sing at the concert.
He runs every morning.
They read a book.
2. In the sentence, 'The birds have been chirping loudly,' what is the verb phrase?
The birds
have been chirping
chirping loudly
loudly
Complete each sentence by adding a suitable verb phrase. Make sure it includes a helping verb and a main verb.
3. My sister her homework after dinner.
4. The team hard for the championship game.
5. We to the beach tomorrow if the weather is good.
Underline the verb phrase in each sentence.
6. The chef is preparing a delicious meal.
7. You should always listen to your parents.
8. They have been waiting for the bus for twenty minutes.
Indicate whether each statement is True or False.
9. A verb phrase always includes only one word.
True
False
10. 'Will go' is an example of a verb phrase.
True
False
Write two original sentences. In the first sentence, use a verb phrase with a form of 'to be'. In the second sentence, use a verb phrase with a modal verb (e.g., can, should, will). Underline the verb phrase in each sentence.