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What are verb phrases in grammar?
A verb phrase is a group of words, including the main verb and any other linking verbs or modifiers, that act as a sentence's verb. Modifiers are words that can change, adapt, limit, expand upon, or help define a certain word in a sentence.
In the case of verb phrases, the modifiers are usually auxiliary verbs (helping verbs), such as is, has, am, and are, that work alongside (or help) the main verb.
In verb phrases, the main verb holds information about the event or activity that is being referred to, and the auxiliary verbs add meaning by relating to the time or aspect of the phrase.
When we say auxiliary verbs add meaning by relating to the time or aspect of the phrase, we're talking about whether or not the action has been completed, is currently happening, or will happen in the future. We're also referring to how an action can extend over a period of time.
For example, an action may have started in the past but has not yet been completed.
Verb phrase examples and sentences
Here are a few quick examples of verb phrases:
My dad is cooking today.
I have written a letter for you.I have been waiting all day.Let's unpack this. Here are four sentences containing examples of different types of verb phrases:
- Simple Verb Phrase: She sings beautifully in the choir.
- Modal Verb Phrase: They can run a marathon in under three hours.
- Progressive Verb Phrase: I am typing this message on my computer.
- Perfect Verb Phrase: He has eaten breakfast already this morning.
Each of these sentences contains a verb phrase that conveys information about an action, including the tense, mood, or aspect of the verb. By using different types of verb phrases, we can add more information and nuance to our sentences, and convey our intended meaning more precisely.
Types of verb phrases
There are many different ways we can form verb phrases depending on the meaning and the purpose of the phrase. Let's take a look at some of the main types.
Verb phrases with only the main verb
When we hear the word 'phrase', we expect the inclusion of more than one word; however, this isn't always the case! Verb phrases can be a singular main verb on its own.
She hears the alarm.
They both jumped.
In these examples, the verb phrase consists of a main verb only. The verb can be in the present or past tense. The first example is in the present tense and the second one is in the past tense.
Fig. 1 - 'She hears the alarm' contains a one-word verb phrase
Auxiliary verb (to be) + main verb (-ing form)
When the main verb is being used in its -ing form (e.g. walking, talking), it expresses a continuous aspect. The use of auxiliary verbs will show whether the continuing action is in the past, present, or future.
The auxiliary verbs am, is, and are used before the main verb in '-ing' form creates the present continuous tense.
The auxiliary verbs was and were used before the main verb in '-ing' form creates the past continuous tense.
The combined auxiliary verbs 'will be' used before the main verb in '-ing' form creates the future continuous tense.
Nobody is listening.
They were dancing.He will be visiting tomorrow.Auxiliary verb (have) + main verb (past participle form)
This type of verb phrase includes the verb 'to have' (including all of its forms e.g. have, has, had) and the past participle form of the main verb.
Past participle verb forms are also referred to as verb 3. They are most commonly used to show the perfect aspect, a verb form that shows an action is either completed or begun in the past. The perfect aspect tends to focus more on the state of the action (i.e. whether or not it has been completed) rather than the action itself. For example, 'I have just eaten' lets the listener know that they have recently just finished eating.The verbs have and has express a present perfect aspect, whereas the verb had expresses a past perfect aspect.
They have relaxed all weekend.
Nobody has tried the new flavour.
She had started the project.
Modal verb + main verb
Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb that express modality. Modality includes things such as possibility, probability, ability, permission, ability, and obligation. Example modal verbs include: must, shall, will, should, would, can, could, may, and might.
He will arrive.
They might leave.Auxiliary verb (have + been) + main verb (-ing form)
In this case, both the continuous aspect and the perfect aspect are expressed. The continuous aspect comes from the '-ing' verb, and the perfect aspect comes from the auxiliary verb 'have been'.
When the auxiliary verb has or have is used, it creates the present perfect continuous aspect. When the auxiliary verb had is used, it expresses a past perfect continuous aspect.
Nobody has been watching the show.
She had been dancing.
Auxiliary verb (to be) + main verb (past participle form)
A verb phrase with the verb 'to be' and a past participle form of the main verb expresses a passive voice. The passive voice is used to show that an action is happening to the subject of the sentence rather than the subject performing the action.
The dinner was served.
The dishes were cleaned.Negative and interrogative verb phrases
In sentences that have a negative or interrogative nature (i.e. they express a negative or ask a question), the verb phrase gets separated as shown in the following examples:
I am not driving anywhere right now.
The verb phrase 'am… driving' has been separated by the interrupter 'not', which turns the action into a negative.
Has he performed well this season?
The verb phrase 'Has… performed' has been separated by the interrupter 'he', which helps to form an interrogative (question).
Emphasised verb phrases
The auxiliary verbs 'do, does, did' can be used to add emphasis to a sentence.
I enjoyed the party
I did enjoy the party.
The first example only includes the main verb. Whereas the second sentence is emphasised by the auxiliary verb 'did'.
Fig 2. I did enjoy the party - a lot!
What is the difference between a verb phrase and a verbal phrase?
The terms verb phrase and verbal phrase are very similar but be careful; they are not the same thing!
A verbal phrase is when the verb phrase no longer functions as a regular verb. Instead, verbal phrases act as adverbs or adjectives.
Example of a verb phrase:
The man was driving his sports car.
This is a verb phrase as the words 'was driving' function as the verb of the sentence.
Example of a verbal phrase:
Driving his sports car, the man achieved a top speed of 170mph!
This is a verbal phrase as the words 'Driving his sports car' function as an adjective. The verb of this sentence is the word 'achieved'.
Verb Phrase - Key takeaways
- A verb phrase is a group of words that act as a verb in a sentence.
- A verb phrase typically consists of a main verb and its modifiers, such as linking verbs and auxiliary verbs.
- Auxiliary verbs are often used in verb phrases to express time and aspect, such as the completion of an action.
- Modal verbs are often used in verb phrases to express modalities, such as likelihood, ability, obligation and suggestion.
- Verb phrases are different from verbal phrases. Whereas verb phrases act as the verb in a sentence, verbal phrases act as an adjective.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Verb Phrase
What is a verb phrase?
A verb phrase is usually a group of words consisting of the main verb and its modifiers, such as auxiliary verbs. It acts as a verb in a sentence.
What does a verb phrase contain?
Typically, a verb phrase is composed of a main verb and at least one auxiliary verb. However, they can also be singular main verbs on their own.
What is an example of a verb phrase?
An example of a verb phrase is: 'The boy might eat the burger'. In this example, 'might' acts as the auxiliary verb and 'eat' is the main verb.
Can a verb be in a prepositional phrase?
Prepositional phrases typically modify verbs rather than contain verbs.
How does a verb phrase have a progressive aspect?
The progressive aspect shows an ongoing or continuous action. These are demonstrated by verbs that have '-ing' at the end. For example, 'he is texting'.
What is the function of modal verbs in verb phrases?
Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs used to express modality, such as likelihood, ability, obligation, permission, suggestions, and advice. E.g. 'you must sit down.'
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