List the verb phrases in the following sentences.
1. My wife is reading in the hammock under the tree.
2. The message can’t be altered.
3. Somewhere a party is being planned.
4. Shouldn’t I be a clown for Halloween?
5. I’ve run out of time.
Now write down as many of the twenty-three helping verbs as you can.

Answer
The verb phrases are is reading, can be altered, is being planned, should be, and ‘ve (have) run.
The twenty-three helping verbs are is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been, have, has, had, do, does, did, shall, will, should, would, may, might, must, can, and could.
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