Verb Phrases for intermediate learners
It's time to learn how to identify the verb phrase in a sentence. Learning about verb phrases is essential in speaking and writing without mistakes.
What Are Verb Phrases?
A verb phrase is a group of words that includes the main verb and any auxiliary or modal verbs needed to express the action or state of being in a sentence.
Verb Phrases: Structure
A verb phrase can consist of just one verb, or it can follow one or more modal verbs or auxiliary verbs as modifiers of the main verb. Look at the following examples:
The kitten
Didn't I tell you that I
Verb Phrases: Types
In English, there are two types of verb phrases:
- Simple Verb Phrases
- Complex Verb Phrases
Now, let us study each of them closely:
Simple Verb Phrases
As mentioned above, it is possible to have only one verb as the verb phrase. In that case, we have a simple verb phrase. Look below:
Sally
As you can see, the verb phrase consists of only a single verb.
I
Complex Verb Phrases
Complex verb phrases consist of the main verb along with one or more auxiliary or modal verbs before the main verb. Look at the following examples:
Hannah
As you can see, we have a modal verb before the main verb.
They
Modals in Verb Phrases
Complex verb phrases can have one or more modal verbs. The following list presents an overview of English modals:
Now, take a look at some examples:
Rick
I hate it when people say it
Auxiliary Verbs in Verb Phrases
Verb phrases can also include one or more auxiliary verbs. The following list provides an overview of English auxiliary verbs:
Now, take a look at some examples:
I
You must accept that she
Verb Phrases: Uses
Verb phrases are mainly used to indicate tenses such as continuous and perfect tense. Look at the following examples:
She
Sally
Tip!
Keep in mind that imperative sentences have simple verb phrases, as they typically consist of only the main verb. For example:
Comments
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Phrases
Phrases are comprised of one or more words that form a meaningful grammatical unit. They are one of the most important elements of English grammar.
Noun Phrases
When a group of nouns come together, they form a noun phrase. To know what is a noun phrase and how short or how long a noun phrase can be, start here!
Prepositional Phrases
What are prepositional phrases? Generally, as its name requires, prepositional phrases are phrases made of prepositions. To get to know them, read the article.
Adjective Phrases
Phrases are two or more words that can function as specific parts of speech. Adjective phrases are groups of words that function as adjectives.
