In a situation where we have two lexical verbs with one functioning as the
main verb and the other as an auxiliary verb, the
first verb in the complex will serve as an auxiliary verb accounting for tense and number while the second
verb will function as a main verb and be in its base form. The base form of a verb is that
which has not been inflected. For example, let us LOOK at the following:
Base Form/Present Plural Form
|
Present Singular Form
|
Past Tense Form
|
Past Perfect Form
|
Continuous Form
|
Dig
|
Digs
|
Dug
|
Dug
|
Digging
|
Begin
|
Begins
|
Began
|
Begun
|
Beginning
|
Play
|
Plays
|
Played
|
Played
|
Playing
|
look,
|
Looks
|
Looked
|
looked
|
Looking
|
Walk
|
Walks
|
Walked
|
walked
|
walking
|
Let us look at the following examples:
1. LET
us BEGIN (not beginning, began, begun or
begins) to worship God.
2. She MAKES
him PLAY
3. We MADE
him LOOK at the boy
4. She LETS
him WALK on the lawn today.
5. John MADE him DIG the hole.
The verb phases which are split in the above sentences are:
1. Let (auxiliary) begin (main)
2. Makes (auxiliary) play (main)
3. Made (auxiliary) look (main)
4. Lets (auxiliary) walk (main)
5. Made (auxiliary) dig (main)