Verb Phrase

In traditional terminology, a verb phrase is a phrase that has the syntactic role of a simple verb, and is composed of a main verb and auxiliary verbs or verbal particles related syntactically to the verb.

Verb Phrases
Verb phrases are groups of words that express action or state of being. They take on various forms.

The men live in the dormitory.
(Single verbs)
He stayed at the Hi Hat Hotel.
(Past tense verbs)
I am learning many new things.
(Progressive verbs)
She has been there before.
(Perfect verbs)
They have been working here five years.
(Perfect progressive verbs)
I could use some assistance.
(Verbs and modals)
The trip was approved by the professor.
(Passive verbs)
Do you want some more pie?
(Verbs in questions)

Recognize Verb phrases

Practice Exercise: Write down the verb phrase in each of these sentences. Be careful; watch for separated helping verbs and watch for adverbs that separate the verb phrase.

1. Will you buy me a drink?
2. Sam is not going to the dance.
3. Al should have mowed the lawn today.
4. Theresa will be playing her clarinet at the concert tonight.
5. Rosie could have worked on that project today.
6. Tony and Jim have been chosen as finalists at the science fair.
7. Hasn't the tailor finished the suit?
8. My grandmother has carefully repaired the broken vase.
9. Maria will probably leave for New York on Wednesday.
10. Does that offer still stand?

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