| Verbs are action words. They can be more
than one word. Every verb sometimes needs help from other verbs.
The verbs be, do, have, will
often help other verbs. They help to show when a verb is past or
future.
When a verb is past or is future, the verb may be more than one
word.
They help to show when a verb is a question, or is negative (not).
When a verb is a question or is negative, it may be several words,
and the words may not all be next to each other.
So when you look for verbs in a sentence, include these words:
Verb be
Verb do
Verb have
Verb will
The verb be helps to show that a verb is still
going on. It shows that the action is ‘continuous’.
In these examples, look for the words am is are was were
Notice how they go with another word which ends in –ing.
| |
flowing |
rising |
working |
| |
loading |
steering |
doing |
| |
swimming |
|
|
Together, these two words make the verb.
| |
I am steering the barge.
|
| |
I am not working
any faster. |
| |
The tide is flowing in
from the sea. |
| |
You are working too slowly.
|
| |
The river was rising
fast. |
| |
A docker was loading
the cargo. |
| |
Four dockers were loading
the cargo |
Questions
| |
Are you listening?
|
| |
Aren't you loading
the barge yet? |
| |
What were you doing
yesterday? |
| |
Were you working
in Rotherhithe yesterday? |
| |
Were Henry and his pals
swimming in the river? |
Parts of the verb have help to show that other verbs are
in the past.
Look for the words have has had The main verb usually
ends in –ed, but not always:
| |
loaded |
arrived |
finished |
| |
forgotten |
brought |
risen |
Together, these two words make the verb.
| |
The docker has loaded the cargo. |
| |
The ship had arrived two days earlier.
|
| |
We have not finished our work. |
| |
They had forgotten their dinner. |
| |
Have you brought the loading list? |
| |
Has the tide risen enough? |
The verb will helps to show that other verbs are
in the future. Look for the words will shall The
main verb is just the basic verb: arrive, finish, bring, rise. Together,
these two words make the verb.
| |
The ship will arrive in two days time.
|
| |
We shall finish our work by tea time.
|
| |
Will you bring the loading list tomorrow?
|
| |
The tide will not rise before six o’clock.
|
The verb do helps other verbs make questions.
Look for the words do does did The main verb is
just the basic verb:
| |
see |
know |
read |
| |
hear |
have |
keep |
Together, these words make the verb.
| |
Do you see the ship? |
| |
Did you read the loading list? |
| |
Did Mrs Rose know where George was working?
|
The verb do helps other verbs make negatives with
not . When you write what someone says, not can be n’t . Look
for the words do not or don't
does not or doesn't did
not or didn't
The main verb is just the basic verb:
| |
see |
know |
read |
| |
hear |
have |
keep |
Together with not, these words make the verb. The
words may not all be next to each other.
| |
Mrs Rose didn't know what
time George would be home. |
| |
We do not have time to go home. |
| |
She does not keep rabbits any more. |
Questions can also go with not or n’t.
| |
Didn't they
hear the clock strike seven ? |
| |
Doesn't he know what
the time is? |
| |
Don’t we have time
for a pint ? |
|
