| Auxiliary verbs
Auxiliary verbs are used with main verbs to construct the verb phrase. They fall into two groups:
Primary auxiliaries I am eating bread. Primary auxiliaries can also work as main verbs. For example: I am happy to see these names included. These are used in clauses such as: I shall eat bread. Modal auxiliaries cannot work as main verbs and normally appear with a main verb. The full list is: will shall would should may might can could must ought (to) |
There is a big difference between the meanings of the two sets of auxiliaries. The sentence that follows illustrates this: It must work dependably. If you change this to It does work dependably, you are saying something very different. We can use the contrast between the two types of auxiliary to make a point, as in this example: Britain's labour market may be working better but it is still not working well. To sum up: modal auxiliaries create a range of possible situations from may through will to must. The primary auxiliaries deal in actual situations. Primary Auxiliary VerbsFill in the blanks with appropriate forms of be, have, do as auxiliaries. 1. I shall write another book after I -------------------- finished writing this book. a) had b) did c) have d) will have 2. She ---------------------- the piano when I entered the room. a) played b) had played c) was playing d) is playing 3. The patient ------------------- before the doctor arrived. a) died b) has died c) was dying d) had died 4. --------------------------- you ever been to Asia? a) do b) had c) have d) did 5. That is what he ---------------------- not seem to understand. a) do b) does c) did d) has Answers 1. have 2. was playing 3. had died 4. have 5. does http://www.perfectyourenglish.com/exercises/grammar-quiz-primary-auxiliaries.htm |