To BeHelping Verbs: Multi-Word Verbs
Sometimes the English language uses
to beverbs with a main verb to help show the time of the action (e.g.
was running,
will be running,etc.). These are to be understood as one verbal idea, even though it is expressed in more than one word. The added
to beverbs are called helping verbs. They help express the main verbal idea, but they are not separate verbs.
Helping Verbs:
Forms of the Verb
bethat combine with another verb to show tense.
The helping verbs are highlighted in the following sentences:
Jim was running away.
Hint: Be careful not to confuse helping verbs with passive verbs and
to beverbs. They all use forms of the verb
be.
The boys will not be replacing the window.
Note: In this case
will be replacingis only one verb idea even though it uses three words. Note also the word
notwhich interrupts the verb, but which is not part of it. (What kind of word is it? and how does it function?)
Click on the helping verb(s) in the following sentences.
Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. - Ruth 3:2
While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus. - Mark 5:35
I was advancing in Judaism and was extremely zealous for the traditions. - Gal. 1:14
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Correct
Sorry, that is a
to beverb
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