Helping verbs are used along with a main verb to express action or state of being. Some common helping verbs are am, are, is, was, were, being, been, do, does, did, shall, will, should, and would. A verb phrase consists of both a main verb and its accompanying helping verb. Words like do, does, and did can function as either helping verbs or main verbs depending on the context. Adverbs like not can interrupt a verb phrase without being considered part of it. Helping verbs should be underlined in orange when identifying them in sentences.

1. Helping Verbs

2. Definition: helps the
main verb express
action or a state of
being. *labeled orange
Examples:
- can speak
- will learn -
should have been fed

3. Together, the main verb
and its helping verb or
verbs are called a verb
phrase.
Examples:
- Many students can speak
Spanish.
- I will be learning about helping

4. Commonly Used Helping Verbs
am being do have must were
are can does is shall will
be could had may should would
been did has might was

5. Some words can be used
as both helping verbs and
main verbs.
Helping Verb:
- I do enjoy the movies.
Main Verb:
- I will do the dishes.

6. Sometimes a verb phrase
is interrupted by another
part of speech.
Examples:
- Students should not forget their
homework.
- Did you call your friends this
weekend?

7. The word NOT and its
contraction, -n’t, are adverbs
telling to what extent; neither
is part of a verb phrase.
Example:
- Students should not forget their
homework.

8. Helping Verbs are
Orange
• Underline helping verbs orange
and write “H” above each
helping verb.

9. Helping Verbs Song (sung
to the tune of “Jingle Bells”)
Helping verbs, helping verbs,
There are twenty-three:
AM, IS, ARE, WAS and WERE
BEING, BEEN, and BE….oh!
HAVE, HAS, HAD, DO, DOES, DID,
SHALL, WILL, SHOULD, and WOULD.
There are five more helping verbs:
MAY, MIGHT, MUST, CAN, COULD.