3G -- PLEASE READ

Go get your favorite book and put it in your lap. We'll come back to it in just a bit.

I was grading your English papers, and many of you are struggling with verb phrases. The phrases in red are verb phrases. Some of you didn't write in complete sentences. Every sentence must have a complete subject and complete predicate.

Remember the rules: 

is, are, am, was, were, will, have, had , has are LINKING VERBS.

When you use is, are, am, was, were, will, have, had , has followed by action verb (ending in -ing or -ed), they are HELPING VERBS and are part of a verb phrase. The action is the MAIN VERB. 

I have a dog.  HAVE is a LINKING VERB  (There is no action in this sentence.) 

She is going to the store.   IS GOING is a VERB PHRASE. IS = HELPING, GOING = MAIN
- Remember verbs ending in -ing CANNOT stand alone. 

I am a teacher. AM is a LINKING VERB  (There is no action in this sentence.)

I am talking to you. AM is a HELPING VERB and TALKING is a MAIN VERB. They are part of a VERB PHRASE.  


Now back to your book. Search your book for action verbs, linking verbs, and verb phrases. Ask mom, dad, a grandparent, or older sibling to help you! If you get stuck, bring it in tomorrow, and I'll help you.