Verb phrases Set-1 - Grade 7 Assessment

Which of these groups of words is a verb phrase?

• was laughing

• my funny cousin

• under the bleachers

• very quickly

Answer explanation

A verb phrase includes a helping verb (like 'was') and a main verb (like 'laughing'). The other options are a noun phrase, a prepositional phrase, and an adverb phrase.

True or False: In the sentence 'My dog chased the mailman down the street,' the verb phrase is 'chased the mailman.'

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The verb in this sentence is just 'chased.' A verb phrase must have at least one helping verb and a main verb. This sentence has a simple predicate, not a verb phrase.

In the verb phrase 'might have been joking,' which word is the main verb?

• might

• have

• been

• joking

Answer explanation

The main verb is the last verb in the phrase and shows the primary action. 'Might,' 'have,' and 'been' are all helping verbs in this case.

Locate the complete verb phrase from the sentence: My brother will be getting his new video game next week. _____________

Answer explanation

The complete verb phrase includes all the helping verbs ('will,' 'be') and the main verb ('getting').

Which sentence uses a verb phrase to show an action that will happen in the future?

• She had finished her project.

• They are playing soccer right now.

• We will go to the movies on Saturday.

• I ate all the leftover pizza.

Answer explanation

The verb phrase 'will go' uses the helping verb 'will' to indicate the future tense.

List only the helping verbs from this sentence: You should have seen that amazing comeback! __________

Answer explanation

In the verb phrase 'should have seen,' the words 'should' and 'have' are helping verbs that support the main verb 'seen.'

True or False: The verb phrase in 'The concert tickets could have been sold already' contains three helping verbs.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The complete verb phrase is 'could have been sold.' The main verb is 'sold,' and the three helping verbs are 'could,' 'have,' and 'been.'

Complete the sentence with a verb phrase that includes the modal verb 'must.' My room is a disaster, so I _________ it before my friends come over.

Answer explanation

This answer correctly uses the modal verb 'must' with the main verb 'clean' to form a verb phrase showing necessity.

Which verb phrase best completes the sentence to show the action happened recently and affects the present? 'I can't play in the game because I _____ my ankle.'

• was twisting

• will twist

• have twisted

• am twisting

Answer explanation

The present perfect verb phrase 'have twisted' correctly shows a past action that has a result in the present (not being able to play).

Make this sentence passive by filling in the blank with the correct verb phrase: The last piece of cake ________ by my sneaky little sister.

Answer explanation

The passive verb phrase 'was eaten' shows that the subject ('cake') received the action. Other answers like 'was taken' or 'was stolen' are also correct.