NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

What does the verb phrase in a sentence include?

1. The subject and predicate

2. The verb(s) and any accompanying modifiers or objects

3. The main idea and supporting details

4. The complete sentence structure

The correct answer is: The verb(s) and any accompanying modifiers or objects

The verb phrase in a sentence encompasses the verb or verbs along with any modifiers or objects that accompany them. This means that it not only identifies the action or state of being expressed by the verb but also clarifies the meaning through additional information. For example, in the phrase "is running quickly," "is running" is the main verb phrase, while "quickly" serves as a modifier that describes how the action is being performed. Thus, the essence of a verb phrase lies in its ability to portray the action more accurately by including relevant details, which is why this choice is the correct one. The other options focus on broader sentence elements or structures that do not specifically address the components of a verb phrase. For instance, the subject and predicate include parts of a sentence but do not concentrate solely on the verb phrase. The main idea and supporting details pertain more to the overall context of a text rather than grammatical structure. Lastly, discussing complete sentence structure would encompass various elements beyond just the verb phrase, such as subjects, predicates, and punctuation. Hence, the focus here is specifically on what constitutes a verb phrase, making the second option the most accurate.