What is a "Principal Verb"? I think I know what it means but i wanted to know what you thought it ment. Thanks!
2006-10-17 06:45:15 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
I don't have a teacher.My mom is my teacher and she is in a meeting.
2006-10-17 06:59:23 · update #1
The main verb in a verb phrase. Example - She is leaving. Is leaving is the verb phrase. Leaving is the principal verb.
2006-10-17 07:01:08 · answer #1 · answered by SNT76 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Verbs may be divided into principal and auxiliary. A principal
verb is that without which a sentence or clause can contain no assertion or affirmation. An auxiliary is a verb joined to the root or participles of a principal verb to express time and manner with greater precision than can be done by the tenses and moods in their simple form. Thus, the sentence, "I am writing an exercise; when I shall have finished it I shall read it to the class." has no meaning without the principal verbs writing, finished read; but the meaning is rendered more definite, especially with regard to time, by the auxiliary verbs am, have, shall.
There are nine auxiliary or helping verbs, viz., Be, have, do,
shall, will, may, can, ought, and must. They are called
helping verbs, because it is by their aid the compound tenses are formed.
2006-10-17 14:57:20 · answer #2 · answered by Magic One 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The primary verb in a sentence. For example: They shall go to the library. Go would be the principal verb and shall would be the secondary/helping verb.
2006-10-17 14:39:14 · answer #3 · answered by Mel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am an English teacher in college, and I have never heard of a principal verb. Are you sure that is term you are asking about?
2006-10-17 14:32:40 · answer #4 · answered by retorik75 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This has to do with the parts of sentence: viz. subject, verb and the adjectival phrase. The verb is the 'doing' or action word in the sentence. Notwithstanding this, the adjectival phrase may contain another verb which is subjective. In this case, simple but complex sentences may contain more than one verb. For instance consider the sentence 'I am going to the library to work on my thesis for the consideration of the academic board.' The subject in this case is I am. The verb is going, and the rest of the sentence is the adjectival phrase. The rest of the verbs in the sentence - to work, and to consider - are called adverbs.The principal verb is the action or doing word that connects the subject to the predicate.
2006-10-17 14:28:27 · answer #5 · answered by Goddy-T 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A "Principal Verb" is the most important verb in a sentence in the event that the same sentence has more than one verb in it.
2006-10-17 14:25:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Of the 23 “auxiliaries,” fourteen (14) are auxiliary verbs OR principal verbs.
do does did am is are was were
be being been have has had
2006-10-17 14:47:21 · answer #7 · answered by firewire_66 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The primary verb in a sentence. For example: We shall go to the beach. Go would be the principal verb and shall would be the auxillary (or secondary/helping) verb.
2006-10-17 14:05:04 · answer #8 · answered by Molly 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
A verb is a doing word and a principal whacks you with a stick
2006-10-17 14:33:59 · answer #9 · answered by tracey s 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Example:
Is flying is the phrase verb.
Flying is the Principal Verb
2006-10-17 14:21:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋