A strong gust of wind <u>could</u>(1) <u>topple</u>(2) our little tent.
The helping verb is could
The main verb is topple
You can identify helping verbs in a<em> </em><em>verb phrase</em>. Verb phrases consists of the main verb alone, or the main verb + helping verbs. The main verb always comes last in the verb phrase.
Other examples of verb phrases with helping verb (HV) and main verb (MV):
The prices of houses <u>could</u> (HV) <u>fall.</u> (MV)
They <u>should</u> (HV) <u>wait</u> (MV) before leaving.
- The pigs secretly hoarding the milk and apples for themselves.
- Using the dogs to control the other farm animals.
- Taking advantage of the other farm animals that cannot remember well and changing the 7 commandents secretly.
- Growing barley solely for themselves while the rest of the animals are suffering from hunger.
Other people, however, may have a different point of view to offer.
