Helping and Main Verbs
Helping Verbs
may be
might being
must been
am
are
is
was
were
(main)
do
does
did
(main)
should have
could had
would has
will
can
shall
(main)
Notice that verbs in three of the families may also stand alone and be the main verb of a
sentence. For example:
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We are teaching you about helping verbs. ("are"-helping verb, "teaching"-main verb)
We are in the fourth grade at Brisas Elementary. ( "are" is the main verb)
Other things to keep in mind:
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Not every sentence will have a helping verb with the main verb.
When you see an "ing" verb such as "running", be on the lookout for a helping verb also.
Sometimes there is another word which separates the helping verb from the main verb.
One common example is "not", as in: The boy couldn't find his socks. The helping verb is
could and the main verb is find.
A sentence may contain up to three helping verbs to the main verb. An example would
be: The dog must have been chasing the cat. The helping verbs are: must, have, and
been; the main verb is chasing (See Rule #2 above!).
Now, test your knowledge of helping verbs by taking our little test! Or learn about Action
Verbs or State-of-Being Verbs
Helping Verb Test
Choose the words that are NOT helping verbs.
Click on the box to check your answer.
1) can, may, say, must
2) is, am, are, where
3) were, at, being, be
4) been, what, am, should
5) do, did, shall, done
8) will, can, shall, than
9) must, am, have, it
10) could, of, has, are
Not helping verb?
Not helping verb?
Not helping verb?
Not helping verb?
Not helping verb?
6) when, should, is, might
7) has, had, on, may
Not helping verb?
Not helping verb?
Not helping verb?
Not helping verb?
Not helping verb?
Find the complete verb (both the main and the helping verb) .
Remember that the main verb and helping verb are not always together, and
there may be more than one helping verb.
1) We have eaten all of the cookies.
2) The show must end now.
3) She might stop the video soon.
Complete verb?
Complete verb?
Complete verb?
4) Wouldn't you eat all of that?
5) Sally is trying to take my paper!
Complete verb?
Complete verb?
6) Bob should have passed this test easily.
7) I may not redo the homework.
8) You will eat this entire thing!
9) This book might be too late.
Complete verb?
Complete verb?
Complete verb?
Complete verb?
10) The bottle could have floated across the lake.
Complete verb?
So, how did you do? If you missed more than four problems, maybe you should go
back and read about Helping and main verbs. When you are ready, read on and learn
about Action Verbs or State-of-being Verbs.