Chapter 4.2: Principal Parts of Irregular Verbs

Being Verbs

I am responsible for this project.

Steve is one of the analysts assigned to the project. We are on schedule. (Present tense)

You were not at the committee meeting, were you? Henry was there. (Past tense)

Past Participle and Present Participle

Be

The past participle been can be used as a main verb + a helping verb – has been, should have been, could have been, might have been, etc.

The last form is the word be. Be can also be used as a helper or as a main verb.

Beatrice will be in charge of the newly formed group. (Be is the main verb, will is the helping verb.)

She will be promoted soon. (The main verb is promoted, the helping verbs are will and be.)

In the following sentences, identify the verb or verb phrase. Then, determine the main verb and helping verb(s).

Principal Parts of Irregular Verbs

Like regular verbs, you should always add a helping verb to the past participle.

She has gone.

He has done a good job.

We have broken the vase.

Never use a helping verb with the past tense.

She went. He did a good job. We broke the vase.

Complete: Editing Practice 1 p. 86

Principal Parts of Irregular Verbs

Regular verbs add d or ed to their present tense to form their past tense or past participle.

A number of other verbs make these changes differently. Some even form new words entirely.

Being Verbs

Chapter 4.2: Principal Parts of Irregular Verbs

Principal Parts of Irregular Verbs

The being verbs are the most commonly used verbs in our language. Unfortunately, they are also among the most misused.

Being verbs: am, are, is, was, were, be, been, being.

Present tense: I am, you are, he/she/it is, we are, you are, they are

Past tense: I was, you were, he/she/it was, we were, you were, they were

Present tense/past tense/past participle/present participle:

Am/was/been/being

Begin/began/begun/beginning

Do/did/done/doing

Go/went/gone/going

Have/had/had/having

Write/wrote/written/writing

Check p. 84-86 for a table on irregular verbs. Study, memorize, and get to know them.

Remember, the main verb is always the last verb in the verb phrase.

We are being very careful about storing chemicals at our plants. (The main verb is being, the helping verb is are.)

We are being trained to handle chemicals carefully. (Now the main verb is trained. Are and being are helping verbs.)

The present participle being can be used as a main verb: am being, is being, are being, was being, were being.

It can also be a helping verb: is being planned, are being reviewed, was being discussed, etc.

Been can also be a helping verb.

Joe Paul should have been here by noon. (Been is the main verb. Should and have are helping verbs.)

He should have been told about the change in departure time. (The main verb is told, the helping verbs are should, have, and been.