Question

verb phrases
a verb that has more than one word is a verb phrase. a verb phrase is formed by adding a helping verb
to another verb in a sentence.
verb phrases
the train will arrive at noon.
the trip should have taken three hours.
the battle might have been won more easily.
she has already made her choice.
i will definitely not leave until tomorrow.
exercise a: identifying verb phrases. underline all parts of the verb phrase in each sentence.
do not underline the words that interrupt a verb phrase.
example: unfortunately, i could not find the evidence.

1. by now, we should have been in boston.
2. the police department has already been notified.
3. we can expect a letter from them in a month.
4. the flood has not blocked the main highway.
5. their roles have not been clearly defined.
6. the doctor should have given you a more complete diagnosis.
7. obviously, the trip must have taken several hours longer.
8. will you remind them of our change in plans?
9. the senator did undoubtedly intend a postponement of the bill.
10. can i really have forgotten their anniversary?

exercise b: using verb phrases. fill in the blanks in each sentence with appropriate verb
phrases.
example: she __ __ soon.
she should be arriving soon.

1. will you get a birthday card for your sister?
2. i have always known my responsibilities.
3. if i wanted, i would have gone a different route.
4. have you ever visited new hampshire?
5. i did not know about the accident.
6. our family was going to attend the summer olympics.
7. they should have ____ to go much earlier.
8. my stereo __ not highly __ by consumer reports.
9. __ not __ a caustic cleaning agent.
10. if we had trained harder, we could have beat them.

Answer:

To solve the problems related to verb phrases (both identifying and using them), we analyze each exercise:

Exercise A: Identifying Verb Phrases

A verb phrase consists of a main verb and one or more helping (auxiliary) verbs. We underline all parts of the verb phrase, ignoring words that interrupt it.

1. By now, we should have been in Boston.

Verb phrase: $\underline{\text{should}}$ $\underline{\text{have}}$ $\underline{\text{been}}$

1. The police department has already been notified.

Verb phrase: $\underline{\text{has}}$ $\underline{\text{been}}$ (ignore "already")

1. We can expect a letter from them in a month.

Verb phrase: $\underline{\text{can}}$ $\underline{\text{expect}}$

1. The flood has not blocked the main highway.

Verb phrase: $\underline{\text{has}}$ $\underline{\text{blocked}}$ (ignore "not")

1. Their roles have not been clearly defined.

Verb phrase: $\underline{\text{have}}$ $\underline{\text{been}}$ (ignore "not")

1. The doctor should have given you a more complete diagnosis.

Verb phrase: $\underline{\text{should}}$ $\underline{\text{have}}$ $\underline{\text{given}}$

1. Obviously, the trip must have taken several hours longer.

Verb phrase: $\underline{\text{must}}$ $\underline{\text{have}}$ $\underline{\text{taken}}$

1. Will you remind them of our change in plans?

Verb phrase: $\underline{\text{Will}}$ $\underline{\text{remind}}$

1. The senator did undoubtedly intend a postponement of the bill.

Verb phrase: $\underline{\text{did}}$ $\underline{\text{intend}}$ (ignore "undoubtedly")

1. Can I really have forgotten their anniversary?

Verb phrase: $\underline{\text{Can}}$ $\underline{\text{have}}$ $\underline{\text{forgotten}}$

Exercise B: Using Verb Phrases

We fill in the blanks with appropriate verb phrases (auxiliary + main verb) based on context and grammar.

1. ____ you ____ a birthday card for your sister?

Example: $\boldsymbol{\text{Will}}$; $\boldsymbol{\text{get}}$ (modal + main verb)

1. I ____ always ____ my responsibilities.

Example: $\boldsymbol{\text{have}}$; $\boldsymbol{\text{known}}$ (present perfect: auxiliary + past participle)

1. If I wanted, I ____ __ ____ a different route.

Example: $\boldsymbol{\text{would}}$; $\boldsymbol{\text{have}}$; $\boldsymbol{\text{taken}}$ (past conditional: modal + perfect infinitive)

1. ____ you ever ____ New Hampshire?

Example: $\boldsymbol{\text{Have}}$; $\boldsymbol{\text{visited}}$ (present perfect: auxiliary + past participle)

1. I ____ not ____ about the accident.

Example: $\boldsymbol{\text{did}}$; $\boldsymbol{\text{know}}$ (simple past: auxiliary + base verb)

1. Our family ____ ____ to attend the summer Olympics.

Example: $\boldsymbol{\text{was}}$; $\boldsymbol{\text{going}}$ (past progressive: auxiliary + present participle)

1. They ____ __ ____ to go much earlier.

Example: $\boldsymbol{\text{should}}$; $\boldsymbol{\text{have}}$; $\boldsymbol{\text{planned}}$ (modal + perfect infinitive)

1. My stereo ____ not highly ____ by Consumer Reports.

Example: $\boldsymbol{\text{is}}$; $\boldsymbol{\text{rated}}$ (passive voice: auxiliary + past participle)

1. ____ not ____ a caustic cleaning agent.

Example: $\boldsymbol{\text{Do}}$; $\boldsymbol{\text{use}}$ (imperative: auxiliary + base verb)

1. If we had trained harder, we ____ __ ____ them.

Example: $\boldsymbol{\text{could}}$; $\boldsymbol{\text{have}}$; $\boldsymbol{\text{beaten}}$ (past conditional: modal + perfect infinitive)

Final Answers (Key Examples)

• Exercise A: Underlined verb phrases as shown.
• Exercise B: Filled verb phrases as shown (e.g., 1. Will; get, 2. have; known, etc.).

For specific answers, refer to the detailed breakdown above.