What are auxiliary verbs?
Auxiliary Verbs
Auxiliary verbs are used together with a main verb to give grammatical information and therefore add extra meaning to a sentence, which is not given by the main verb.
Be, Do and Have are auxiliary verbs, they are irregular verbs and can be used as main verbs.
Modal verbs are also auxiliary verbs, but will be treated separately, these are can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would..
To be
Be is the most common verb in the English language. It can be used as an auxiliary and a main verb. It is used a lot in its other forms.
A sentence or phrase can have two interlocked verbs. The main verb gives the primary action, whilst the auxiliary verb adds subtle detail. Common auxiliary verbs include the verbs to be, to have, to do.
Auxiliary verbs are used together with a main verb to give grammatical information and therefore add extra meaning to a sentence, which is not given by the main verb.
Be, Do and Have are auxiliary verbs, they are irregular verbs and can be used as main verbs.
Modal verbs are also auxiliary verbs, but will be treated separately, these are can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would..
To be
Be is the most common verb in the English language. It can be used as an auxiliary and a main verb. It is used a lot in its other forms.
Present tense form=am/is/are.
Past tense form=was/were.
Primary Helping Verbs (14 verbs)
* be, being, been, am, are, is, was, were
* have, had, has
* do, does, did
Notice that verbs in the above three families may also stand alone and be the main verb of a sentence. e.g. She is in the shop (there is no other verbs in this sentence except “is” so it can act as main verb as well).
Modal Helping Verbs (10 verb)
* should, could, would
* may, might, must
* will, can, shall
* ought to
We use modal helping verbs to “modify” the meaning of the main verb in some way. A modal helping verb expresses necessity or possibility, and changes the main verb in that sense e.g. I may eat later, You should get it repaired, They might not come. (notice that “may, should, might” in these sentence have altered the meaning of the main verbs “eat, repaired, come”.
Semi-modal Helping Verbs (3 verbs)
* need, dare, used to
1.Auxiliary verbs (sometimes known as helping verbs) are verbs that are used to assist the verb.
2.Auxiliary verbs can not be used without a main verb.
3.Auxiliary verbs can not be used with modal verbs.
4.Auxiliary verbs are used to make sentences negative.
5.Auxiliary verbs are used to ask questions.
6.Auxiliary verbs are used in the sentence structure of the verb sentence.
7.Auxiliary verbs are sometimes called helping verbs.
An auxiliary verb is:
* a word that modifies the meaning of another verb in a sentence
* also known as a helping verb
* There are three auxiliary verbs in English which are irregular verbs and can be used as main verbs in a sentence
* "be" is used with the present participle in progressive (continuous) verbs and with the past participle in the passive voice
* "do", "don't", "does", and "doesn't" are used with negative statements and questions in the present simple tense while "did" and "didn't" are used in the past simple tense
* "have" is used with the past participle to form the perfect aspect
* Modal verbs are also auxiliary verbs but they cannot function as a main verb
Verb to be ( am / is / are ) - the Present Simple Tense
am / is / are / was / were / been
To be is the most common verb in the English language. It can be used as an auxiliary or a main verb.
What is the English verb "to be"?
The verb "to be" can be used as the main verb tense or as the auxiliary verb.
The verb to be is used as the main verb tense to state that something or someone exists.
Rules for using the verb tense "to be":
The verb tense "to be" changes form according to the subject when used as both the auxiliary verb and the main verb.
The verb "to be" changes form according to the subject when used as both the auxiliary verb or as the main verb.
When the verb tense "to be" is used as a main verb tense it is used in the simple tense only.
When the verb tense "to be" is the only verb, when used as a main verb.
When the verb tense "to be" is used as the main verb tense.
* Negative statements/sentence use the word "not" without "do - does - did". - - - Questions are formed by putting the verb "to be:" before the subject.
* The verb "to be" is an irregular verb.
Be Verb Practice #1
I ______ sleepy.
am
You ______ handsome.
are
He ______ short.
is
She ______ friendly.
is
It ______ cold today.
is
We ______ busy.
are
You ______ all awake.
are
They ______ beautiful.
are
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Auxiliary Verbs (Helping Verbs)
Auxiliary verbs or helping verbs are used with the main verb to help us make different tenses.
The primary auxiliary verbs are 'be', 'do', and 'have'.
Be as an auxiliary verb
We use 'be' as an auxiliary verb to help us make continuous tenses and to use the passive voice.
Continuous tenses
To make continuous tenses, we use be + present participle.
A present participle is the -ing form of the verb.
She is meeting her sister for dinner.
'Is' is the auxiliary verb. 'Meeting' is the present participle. It is also the main verb in the sentence.
This is an example of the present continuous tense.
She was meeting her sister for dinner.
'Was' is the auxiliary verb. 'Meeting' is the present participle (main verb). This is an example of the past continuous tense.
Notice how we change the tense by changing the auxiliary verb 'be'. We use the present form of 'be' to make the present continuous tense. We use the past form of 'be' to make the past continuous tense.
Learn more about using be.
Passive voice
To make the passive voice, we use be + past participle.
The money was taken.
'Was' is the auxiliary verb. 'Taken' is the past participle (main verb).
A past participle is one of the past forms of the verb.
Learn more about the passive voice.
Have as an auxiliary verb
We use 'have' as an auxiliary verb to help us make perfect tenses.
Perfect tenses
To make perfect tenses, we use have + past participle.
I have eaten dinner
'Have' is the auxiliary verb. 'Eaten' is the past participle (main verb). This is an example of the present perfect tense.
I had eaten dinner when she arrived.
'Had' is the auxiliary verb. 'Eaten' is the past participle (main verb). This is an example of the past perfect tense.
To change the tense you change the auxiliary verb 'have'. We use the present form of 'have' to make the present perfect tense. We use the past form of 'have' to make the past perfect tense.
Do as an auxiliary verb
We use 'do' as an auxiliary verb to help us make questions and negative sentences.
We don't need an auxiliary verb to make positive sentences.
Negatives
To make a negative sentence, we use do + not + verb.
I do not like cheese.
'Do' is the auxiliary verb. 'Like' is the main verb.
I didn't see the movie
'Did' is the auxiliary verb. 'See' is the main verb.
Didn't is the short form of did not.
Questions
To make a question, we use do + subject + verb.
Do you like cheese?
'Do' is the auxiliary verb. 'Like' is the main verb.
Did you see the movie?
'Did' is the auxiliary verb. 'See' is the main verb.
Using be, do, and have as main verbs
When we use 'be', 'do', and 'have' as auxiliary verbs they are always helping a main verb in the sentence.
We can also use 'be', 'do', and 'have' on their own as the main verb.
I am a doctor.
I do the washing on Saturday.
I have a cat.
The uses of to do as an auxiliary verbs are:
a) Formation of questions and negative sentences
- I don't see anything.
- I don't think you know me.
- Does she go to her gymnastic classes on Mondays?
b) Formation of negative imperative sentences.
- Don't go there.
- Don't let him go out so late.
- Don't go. Stay at home and rest up.
Note: if you want to be really polite, you can use do in positive imperative sentences too.
- Do come.
- Do be quiet.
- Do sit down.
c) Emphasis, used to stress what we're saying.
- I do think he is foolish.
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What is a modal auxiliary verb?
The quick answer is to give a list: the modal auxiliaries are must, may, might, can, could, will, would, shall and should.
All the auxiliary verbs except be, do and have are called modals. Unlike
other auxiliary verbs modals only exist in their helping form; they
cannot act alone as the main verb in a sentence.
Be, do, and have also differ from the other auxiliaries in that they can also serve as ordinary
verbs in a given sentence.
The modal verbs are:-
CAN / COULD / MAY / MIGHT / MUST / SHALL / SHOULD / OUGHT TO / WILL / WOULD
|
Modal
|
Example
|
Uses
|
| Can |
They can control their own budgets.
We can’t fix it.
Can I smoke here?
Can you help me? |
Ability / Possibility
Inability / Impossibility
Asking for permission
Request |
| Could |
Could I borrow your dictionary?
Could you say it again more slowly?
We could try to fix it ourselves.
I think we could have another Gulf War.
He gave up his old job so he could work for us. |
Asking for permission.
Request
Suggestion
Future possibility
Ability in the past |
| May |
May I have another cup of coffee?
China may become a major economic power. |
Asking for permission
Future possibility |
| Might |
We'd better phone tomorrow, they might be eating their dinner now.
They might give us a 10% discount. |
Present possibility
Future possibility |
| Must |
We must say good-bye now.
They mustn’t disrupt the work more than necessary. |
Necessity / Obligation
Prohibition |
| Ought
to |
We ought to employ a professional writer. |
Saying what’s right or correct |
| Shall
(More common in the UK than the US)
|
Shall I help you with your luggage?
Shall we say 2.30 then?
Shall I do that or will you? |
Offer
Suggestion
Asking what to do |
| Should |
We should sort out this problem at once.
I think we should check everything again.
Profits should increase next year. |
Saying what’s right or correct
Recommending action
Uncertain prediction |
| Will |
I can’t see any taxis so I’ll
walk.
I'll do that for you if you like.
I’ll get back to you first thing on Monday.
Profits will increase next year. |
Instant decisions
Offer
Promise
Certain prediction |
| Would |
Would you mind if I brought a colleague
with me?
Would you pass the salt please?
Would you mind waiting a moment?
"Would three o`clock suit you?" - "That’d
be fine."
Would you like to play golf this Friday?
"Would you prefer tea or coffee?" - "I’d
like tea please." |
Asking for permission
Request
Request
Making arrangements
Invitation
Preferences |
!Note The modal auxiliary verbs are always followed by the base form.
The verb used to, which is explained here, can also be used like a modal verb. |
1. The 3 most common auxiliary verbs are:
* Do - Does - Did
* Do is used with the present simple tense. Do-Does are used as part of the sentence structure for negative statements/sentences with the present simple tense
* Do- Does are used as part of the sentence structure for questions, with the present simple tense.
* Did is used with the past simple tense.
* Did is used as part of the sentence structure for negative statements/sentences with the past simple tense
* Did is used as part of the sentence structure for questions, with the past simple tense.
* Be - Am - Is - Are -Was - Were
* Have - Has -Had
DO', 'BE' and 'HAVE' are the English auxiliary verbs used in a negative structure, a question or to show tense.
DESCRIPTIONS OF ENGLISH AUXILIARY VERBS:
1. 'DO', 'DON'T', 'DOES' and 'DOESN'T' are used for questions and negatives in the Present Simple Tense, and 'DID' and 'DIDN'T' are used in the Past Simple Tense.
2. 'BE' is used with the Present Participle in Continuous (Progressive) Verbs. It is also used with the Past Participle in the Passive.
3. 'HAVE' is used with the Past Participle to form the Perfect Aspect.
BE Verb Introduction - Simple Present Tense
| |
FORM |
SUBJECT |
BE VERB |
Contraction |
EXAMPLE |
affirmative
sentences
( + ) |
1st person |
I |
am |
I'm |
I'm here. |
| 2nd person |
you |
are |
you're |
You're busy. |
| 3rd person |
he |
is |
he's |
He's a friend. |
| 3rd person |
she |
is |
she's |
She's a doctor. |
| 3rd person |
it |
is |
it's |
It's cold today. |
| 1st person pl. |
we |
are |
we're |
We're hungry. |
| 2nd person pl. |
you |
are |
you're |
You're beautiful. |
| 3rd person pl. |
they |
are |
they're |
They're asleep. |
|
| |
SUBJECT |
BE VERB |
Contraction |
EXAMPLE |
negative
sentences
( - ) |
I |
am not |
I'm not |
I'm not thirsty. |
| you |
are not |
you aren't
you're not |
You aren't here.
You're not a cat! |
| he |
is not |
he isn't
he's not |
He isn't there.
He's not at home. |
| she |
is not |
she isn't
she's not |
She isn't a mother.
She's not an actress. |
| it |
is not |
it isn't
it's not |
It isn't warm today.
It's not too hot today. |
| we |
are not |
we aren't
we're not |
We aren't asleep.
We're not sleepy. |
| you |
are not |
you aren't
you're not |
You aren't tired.
You're not at work. |
| they |
are not |
they aren't
they're not |
They aren't here.
They're not at work. |
| |
| |
BE VERB & SUBJECT |
(+) Short Answer |
(-) Short Answer |
questions
( ? ) |
Am I correct? |
Yes, I am. |
No, I'm not. |
| Are you tired? |
Yes, you are. |
No, you aren't.
No, you're not. |
| Is he asleep? |
Yes, he is. |
No, he isn't.
No, he's not. |
| Is she here? |
Yes, she is. |
No, she isn't.
No, she's not. |
| Is it warm? |
Yes, it is. |
No, it isn't.
No, it's not. |
| Are we students? |
Yes, we are. |
No, we aren't.
No, we're not. |
| Are you thirsty? |
Yes, you are. |
No, you aren't.
No, you're not. |
| Are they here? |
Yes, they are. |
No, they aren't.
No, they're not. |
Forms of Helping Verbs
 |
| Helping verbs are also called "auxiliary verbs". |
|
All helping verbs are used with a main verb (either expressed or understood*). There are 2 groups of helping verbs: - Primary helping verbs, used mainly to change the tense or voice of the main verb, and in making questions and negatives.
- Modal helping verbs, used to change the "mood" of the main verb.
Study the table below. It shows the prinicipal forms and uses of helping verbs, and explains the differences between primary and modal helping verbs. * Sometimes we make a sentence that has a helping verb and seems to have no main verb. In fact, the main verb is "understood". Look at the following examples: - Question: Can you speak English? (The main verb speak is "expressed".)
- Answer: Yes, I can. (The main verb speak is not expressed. It is "understood" from the context. We understand: Yes, I can speak English.
But if somebody walked into the room and said "Hello. I can", we would understand nothing! | Helping Verbs | | Primary | Modal | | do | (to make simple tenses, and questions and negatives) | can | could | | be | (to make continuous tenses, and the passive voice) | may | might | | have | (to make perfect tenses) | will | would | | shall | should | | must | | | ought (to) | | "Do", "be" and "have" as helping verbs have exactly the same forms as when they are main verbs (except that as helping verbs they are never used in infinitive forms). | Modal helping verbs are invariable. They always have the same form. | Primary helping verbs are followed by the main verb in a particular form:
- do + V1 (base verb)
- be + -ing (present participle)
- have + V3 (past participle)
| "Ought" is followed by the main verb in infinitive form. Other modal helping verbs are followed by the main verb in its base form (V1).
- ought + to... (infinitive)
- other modals + V1 (base verb)
| | "Do", "be" and "have" can also function as main verbs. | Modal helping verbs cannot function as main verbs. |
English - Auxiliaries |
am, is, are, was, were, do, does, did, have, has, had are called Primary Auxiliaries.
Will, shall, would, should, can, could, may, might, ought to, must, need are called Modal Auxiliaries.
The Primary Auxiliaries can be used as helping verbs as well as principal verbs.
The Modal Auxiliaries are always used as helping verbs. In other words they cannot be used as Principal verbs.
Eg.,
Am
I am a software professional.
I am working for Wipro.
In the above first sentence ‘am’ was used as a principal verb and in the second it was used as a helping verb.
Is
He is a doctor.
He is performing a surgery at the movement.
Are
We are students of Hansraj College.
We are participating in a football tournament here.
Was
Kalidasa was a great poet.
Gopal was riding a bi-cycle when he was hit by a scooter.
Were
They were my classmates in Dehradun.
They were going to Goa when their train met with an accident.
Have
I have many grammar books at home.
I have read all of them.
Has
He has a laptop with him.
He has put it in his briefcase.
Had
I had a beautiful pen.
I had bought it in 2004.
Do
They do their work sincerely.
They do not go home before 8 pm.
Does
He does his work efficiently.
He does not waste even a single minute.
Did
She did her job.
Did she come to office yesterday?
Modal Auxiliaries
Modal Auxiliaries can only be used as a helping verb.
Will – It is used to express intention. It is normally used in future tense.
We will go to Jaisalmer next week.
They will visit our place in February.
Will they accompany you for lunch?
Would – It is the past form of will.
He would complete his work by this time tomorrow.
She would be going for her dance classes from next week.
Would you like to have a glass of water?
Shall
Shall I take leave tomorrow?
Shall we go on a picnic next week?
Shall we have coffee in CP?
Should
You should pay attention in the class.
Should I accompany her to her house?
You should drink two glasses of water daily in the morning.
May – It is used to indicate possibility.
I may come to your house tomorrow.
It may rain in the evening.
Government may hike the price of petrol and diesel.
May I borrow your book for a couple of days?
Might – It is the past form of may and is used to express less certain situations.
I might take a leave tomorrow.
Dad might come to office the day after tomorrow.
Mid term elections might be announced in mid March.
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Are all auxiliary verbs helping verbs?
How many auxiliary verbs are there?
Can you name various auxiliary verbs?
How many helping verbs are there?
Can you name various helping verbs?
The following are the auxiliary verbs in English:
Primary helping verbs (3 verbs)
Be and its forms: is, am, are, was and were
Do and its forms: does, did
Have and its forms: has, had
Modal helping verbs (10 verbs)
We use modal helping verbs to "modify" the meaning of the main verb in some way. A modal helping verb expresses necessity or possibility, and changes the main verb in that sense. These are the modal verbs:
can, could
may, might
will, would,
shall, should
must
ought to
Semi-modal verbs (3 verbs)
The following verbs are often called "semi-modals" because they are partly like modal helping verbs and partly like main verbs:
* need
* dare
* used to
(23)
may
might
must
be
being
been
am
are
is
was
were
do
does
did
should
could
would
have
had
has
will
can
shall
How are auxiliary verbs used in a question? |
What is a helping verb and how is it used?
Where can I find a list of helping verb?
Auxiliary verb and helping verb: What's the difference?
Is there a difference?
What are auxiliary verbs?
Auxiliary verbs are added to main verbs to make them work in other forms, such as questions, negatives, and other times.
1. Auxiliary verbs (sometimes known as helping verbs) are verbs that are used to assist the verb.
2. Auxiliary verbs cannot be used without a main verb.
3. Auxiliary verbs cannot be used with modal verbs.
4. Auxiliary verbs are used to make sentences negative.
5. Auxiliary verbs are used to ask questions.
6. Auxiliary verbs are used in the sentence structure of the verb sentence.
1. The 3 most common auxiliary verbs are:
Do - Does - Did
Do is used with the present simple tense.
Do-Does are used as part of the sentence structure for negative statements/sentences with the present simple tense.
Do-Does are used as part of the sentence structure for questions, with the present simple tense.
Did is used with the past simple tense.
Did is used as part of the sentence structure for negative statements/sentences with the past simple tense.
Did is used as part of the sentence structure for questions, with the past simple tense.
Be - Am - Is - Are - Was – Were - Been
Have - Has - Had
DO, BE, and HAVE are the English auxiliary verbs used in a negative structure, a question, or to show tense.
DESCRIPTIONS OF ENGLISH AUXILIARY VERBS:
1. DO, DON'T, DOES, and DOESN'T are used for questions and negatives in the Present Simple Tense, and DID and DIDN'T are used in the Past Simple Tense.
2. BE is used with the Present Participle in Continuous (Progressive) Verbs. It also is used with the Past Participle in the Passive.
3. HAVE is used with the Past Participle to form the Perfect Aspect.
Main verbs are also called "lexical verbs".
Helping verbs are also called "auxiliary verbs".
List Of Helping Verbs
Helping Verbs
Helping verbs are also called "auxiliary verbs".
Helping verbs have no meaning on their own. They are necessary for the grammatical structure of a sentence, but they do not tell us very much alone. We usually use helping verbs with main verbs. They "help" the main verb (which has the real meaning). There are only about 15 helping verbs in English, and we divide them into two basic groups:
Primary helping verbs (3 verbs)
These are the verbs be, do, and have. Note that we can use these three verbs as helping verbs or as main verbs. On this page we talk about them as helping verbs. We use them in the following cases:
* be
o to make continuous tenses (He is watching TV.)
o to make the passive (Small fish are eaten by big fish.)
* have
o to make perfect tenses (I have finished my homework.)
* do
o to make negatives (I do not like you.)
o to ask questions (Do you want some coffee?)
o to show emphasis (I do want you to pass your exam.)
o to stand for a main verb in some constructions (He speaks faster than she does.)
Modal helping verbs (10 verbs)
We use modal helping verbs to "modify" the meaning of the main verb in some way. A modal helping verb expresses necessity or possibility, and changes the main verb in that sense. These are the modal verbs:
* can, could
* may, might
* will, would,
* shall, should
* must
* ought to
Here are examples using modal verbs:
* I can't speak Chinese.
* John may arrive late.
* Would you like a cup of coffee?
* You should see a doctor.
* I really must go now.
"Do", "be" and "have" can also function as main verbs.
Modal helping verbs cannot function as main verbs.
There are only about 15 helping verbs.
Helping verbs are also called "auxiliary verbs".
Verb Classification
We divide verbs into two broad classifications:
1. Helping Verbs
2. Main Verbs
There are only about 15 helping verbs.
Helping verbs are also called "auxiliary verbs".
Primary helping verbs (3 verbs)
These are the verbs be, do, and have.
Modal helping verbs (10 verbs)
We use modal helping verbs to "modify" the meaning of the main verb in some way. A modal helping verb expresses necessity or possibility, and changes the main verb in that sense. These are the modal verbs:
* can, could
* may, might
* will, would,
* shall, should
* must
* ought to
Main Verbs
Main verbs have meaning on their own (unlike helping verbs). There are thousands of main verbs, and we can classify them in several ways:
Transitive and intransitive verbs
Linking verbs
Dynamic and stative verbs
Regular and irregular verbs
What is the difference between regular verbs and irregular verbs?
Dynamic and stative verbs
dynamic verbs (examples):
* hit, explode, fight, run, go
stative verbs (examples):
* be
* like, love, prefer, wish
* impress, please, surprise
Regular and irregular verbs
regular verbs: base, past tense, past participle
* look, looked, looked
* work, worked, worked
Regular Verbs
English regular verbs change their form very little (unlike irregular verbs). The past tense and past participle of regular verbs end in -ed, for example:
work, worked, worked
But you should note the following points:
1. Some verbs can be both regular and irregular, for example:
learn, learned, learned
learn, learnt, learnt
2. Some verbs change their meaning depending on whether they are regular or irregular, for example "to hang":
regular hang, hanged, hanged to kill or die, by dropping with a rope around the neck
irregular hang, hung, hung to fix something (for example, a picture) at the top so that the lower part is free
3. The present tense of some regular verbs is the same as the past tense of some irregular verbs:
regular found, founded, founded
irregular find, found, found
irregular verbs: base, past tense, past participle
* buy, bought, bought
* cut, cut, cut
* do, did, done
* hear, see, sound
* belong to, consist of, contain, include, need
* appear, resemble, seem
Which is auxiliary verb?
Which is subject?
Which is main verb?
Exception:
For the verb to be in simple present and simple past, we do not use an auxiliary verb.
We simply reverse the positions of be and subject:
Statement: He is _____? Question: Is he ______? Answer is Information |
http://www.grammarforteachers.co.uk/Guide/Verbs/auxiliaryverbs.html
http://funeasyenglish.com/american-english-grammar-auxiliary-verb.htm
http://english-zone.com/index.php?ID=45
http://english-zone.com/verbs/be-intro1.html
http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/verbmodal.htm
http://www.worldclasslearning.com/english/english-auxiliaries.html
http://www.class.uidaho.edu/adv_tech_wrt/resources/sentence_style/capital_letters.htm
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