Verb Phrases

Verb phrases are essential for indicating various tenses, including continuous and perfect tenses, although they are not necessary for forming simple present and simple past tenses. Furthermore, they help indicate the mood or provide other important information about the sentence.

A verb phrase can consist of a main verb alone or a combination of a main verb and one or more modal or auxiliary verbs. Main verbs demonstrate the action of the sentence.
When forming a verb phrase, it's important to pay attention to the order of these verbs. For instance, the main verb always comes at the end of the verb phrase. Pay attention to the examples:

There are two types of verb phrases:

English auxiliary verbs include:

In verb phrases, auxiliary verbs function as finite verbs, indicating the tense and mood of a sentence. However, they do not convey a complete meaning on their own. For example:

Modal verbs express possibility, obligation, suggestions, etc. They include:

Modal verbs also function as finite verbs. Although they cannot be conjugated in different tenses, they do show the speaker and mood.

Verb phrases can function as predicates of sentences or clauses. In such cases, there is typically an auxiliary verb accompanying the main verb within the verb phrase.

Verbs phrases should not be confused with verbal phrases.
A verb phrase is a group of words that includes a main verb and any auxiliary or modal verbs and functions as a verb that is used to express the action or state of being in a sentence.
A verbal phrase, on the other hand, is a phrase that is based on a verb but can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Verbal phrases can take the form of a gerund, infinitive, or participle and they act as different parts of speech depending on their form:

Verb phrases can be only one verb in a sentence or they can include two or more verbs. Verbal phrases are nouns or phrases that are made from a verb. Here are different parts of a verb phrase.