3. Verb Phrase
A verb phrase can either be made up of an auxiliary verb and its main verb, or a verb plus any modifiers, objects, or complements.* Verb phrases are used to form perfect or continuous verb tenses, to express modality, or as part (or all) of the predicate.
Auxiliary Verb(s) + Main Verb + Verb Ending When Necessary
Exemples
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Verb phrase examples |
How it appears in a sentence |
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am running — auxiliary verb am + present participle running |
“I am running late.” (forms the present continuous tense) |
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have completed — auxiliary verb have + past participle completed |
“They have completed work on the building.” (forms the present perfect tense) |
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quickly ran to the bus — adverb quickly + verb ran + prepositional phrase to the bus |
“She quickly ran to the bus.” (forms the predicate) |
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plays the trombone — verb plays + object the trombone |
“My brother plays the trombone.” (forms the predicate) |