A verb phrase is defined as the main verb together with all its auxiliaries (helping verbs).
Auxiliary verbs always precede the main verb
There are two types of auxiliary verbs:
1. Inflected auxiliary verbs
|
be |
have | do |
2. Modal auxiliaries (considered more fully under FUNCTION CLASS)
|
present |
past | no tense |
|
will |
would |
must |
|
shall |
should |
|
|
can |
could |
|
| may | might |
Examples of verb phrases:
|
He has taken the test. |
(auxiliary has + main verb take.) |
|
He is taking the test. |
(auxiliary is + main verb take) |
|
He did take the test. |
(auxiliary do + main verb take) |
|
He has been taking the test. |
(auxiliaries has been + main verb take) |