Main verbs, also known as action verbs or lexical verbs, are the verbs that express the main action or state of being in a sentence. They can stand alone and do not require any other verb to make sense. Examples of main verbs include “run,” “eat,” “sleep,” “write,” “play,” and “study.”
Helping verbs, also known as auxiliary verbs, are used in conjunction with main verbs to express various tenses, moods, voices, and aspects. They help to clarify the main verb’s tense, add emphasis, or indicate the possibility or necessity of an action. Examples of helping verbs include “is,” “am,” “are,” “was,” “were,” “has,” “have,” “had,” “do,” “does,” “did,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “must,” “shall,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “ought to,” “need,” “dare,” and “used to.”
Here are some examples of sentences with main verbs and helping verbs:
- She is running in the park.
- Main verb: running
- Helping verb: is
- They have eaten all the food.
- Main verb: eaten
- Helping verb: have
- He will write a letter to his friend.
- Main verb: write
- Helping verb: will
- We should study for the exam.
- Main verb: study
- Helping verb: should
- I can play the guitar.
- Main verb: play
- Helping verb: can