A helping verb is a verb that comes before the main verb (or lexical verb) in a sentence. Together the helping verb and the main verb form a verb phrase. (A helping verb is also known as an auxiliary verb.)

Helping verbs include:

• Is / Am / Are
• Was / Were
• Has / Have / Had
• Shall / Will
• Shall have / Will have

MAIN VERB: A verb that shows the main activity of the subject, agent etc. (A main verb is also referred to as a lexical verb.)

• A main verb shows the action or state of being in a sentence whereas, a helping verb always stands in front of a main verb such as am, are, has, have, had and work with the main verb to show when the action or state of being occurs.

For example:

• Jande can ride her sister›s bicycle. The helping verb can stands in front of ride, which is the main verb.
• They will go to college.

Helping verb: will
Main verb: go

• She has lost her memory.
  Helping verb: has
  Main verb: lost
• You have taken my pen.
  Helping verb: have
  Main verb: taken
• She is writing a letter.
  Helping verb: is
  Main verb: writing

More than one helping verb can be used in a sentence. For example, in the sentence, Jande could have walked to school,” there are two Helping verbs: could and have.

Main verb: walked