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English verb phrase generator

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* Verb phrases with the modal will + bare infinitive are, strictly speaking, not considered to be tenses. (You can read more about this here and here.) Finite verb phrases also include modal constructions formed with modals other than will, which are not listed here.

** There are two aspects: the continuous and the perfect aspect. Verb phrases which are not marked for either aspect are called simple. Verb phrases which are marked for both aspects are called perfect continuous.

The order of auxiliaries in the verb phrase:

  1. modal auxiliary (e.g. will) + base form
  2. perfect auxiliary have + past participle
  3. continuous auxiliary be + present participle (verb-ing)
  4. passive auxiliary be + past participle