Grammar and Language Workbook

Unit 3, Verbs 85

Copyright © by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

Grammar

Lesson 17

Main Verbs: Principal Parts

Verbs have four principal parts: the base form, the present participle, the past

form, and the past participle. These principal parts are often combined with

helping verbs to form verb phrases. The main verbis always the last verb in a

verb phrase.

Base Form: I learn at least one new song every week.

Present Participle: I am learninghow to play guitar. (The main verb, learning,

is the last verb in the verb phrase.)

Past Form: I learned two songs last week.

Past Participle: I have learnedfourteen songs so far. (The main verb,

learned, is the last verb in the verb phrase.)

Exercise 1 Draw one line under the entire verb phrase. Draw two lines under the

main verb.

Her uncle was bringing the soft drinks.

1. Darnel is selling me his skateboard.


2. Kelsa has donated her old soccer ball.


3. Travis is playing a tape for the class.


4. I have written my grandmother several poems.


5. The jeweler is repairing Allyson’s necklace.


6. People have walked in the flower bed.


7. Carin was learning the history of ballet.


8. NASA is postponing the shuttle mission.


9. Throughout history, people have valued gold.


10. Troy has flown in a 747.


11. We were hoping for a first-place trophy.


12. Craig’s grandmother is coming to the game tonight.


13. The dictionary is sitting on the windowsill.


14. Ms. Chang had opened the door for the children.


15. The bus driver was waiting for Kerwin.