Verb Phrase

The Verb Phrase in English are:

F1. A Main verb: The verb may be in the present tense (are, like) or the past tense (saw, laughed). A verb phrase with only a main verb expresses simple aspect. (e.g. We are here.)

F2. An Auxiliary verb ‘be’ and a main verb ‘in –ing’ form expresses continuous aspect. (e.g. Everybody is watching.)

F3. An Auxiliary verb ‘have’ and a main verb with past participle expresses perfect aspect. A Verb with have/has expresses present perfect, and a verb with had expresses past perfect. (e.g. They have enjoyed themselves.)

F4. An Auxiliary verb ‘have + been’ and a main verb in the ‘–ing’ form expresses perfect continuous aspect. A Verb with have/has expresses present perfect continuous, and a verb with had expresses past perfect continuous. (e.g. Everybody has been working hard.)

F5. A Modal verb ‘can’, ‘could’, ‘may’, ‘might’, ‘must’, ‘shall’, ‘should’, ‘will’, ‘would’ and a main verb. (e.g. They will come.)

F6. We can use Modal Verbs with the Auxiliaries ‘be’, ‘have’, and ‘have been’. (e.g. They will be listening.)

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