What Are Auxiliary Verbs?
Auxiliary verbs (also called helping verbs) are verbs we use with main verbs to show things like time (tense), voice, or mood.
The three main auxiliary verbs are:
to be
to do
to have
to do
to have
Auxiliary Verbs Show:
Tense (time):
She was waiting at home.
Past Continuous
Past Continuous
I have broken my leg.
Present Perfect
Present Perfect
We don’t go to the gym on Fridays.
Present Simple
Present Simple
Mood (how we feel about the action):
Are you working now?
Question
Question
Don’t smoke here!
Command
Command
It has begun.
Statement
Statement
Voice (active or passive):
The car is washed by John.
Passive
Passive
The dinner has been cooked by Mary.
Passive
Passive
We didn’t buy potatoes.
Active
Active
Modal Verbs — Special Auxiliary Verbs
Modal verbs are also auxiliary verbs. They show ability, possibility, permission, or necessity.
Examples:
will
would
can
could
must
should
may
might
ought to
shall
would
can
could
must
should
may
might
ought to
shall
How to Tell Auxiliary Verbs from Main Verbs
Auxiliary verbs make negatives with not:
I do not work here.
I work not here.
Auxiliary verbs help make questions:
Do you exercise a lot?
Exercise you a lot?
Auxiliary verbs never stand alone without a main verb (except in short answers):
I have lived in Paris.
I lived in Paris.
I have in Paris.
Short Answers Use Auxiliary Verbs
– Are you dancing?
– Yes, I am (dancing).
– Yes, I am (dancing).
– Do you like coffee?
– — Yes, I do (like it)
– — Yes, I do (like it)
Auxiliary Verbs Can Add Emphasis
I do like him.
We did buy too much food.
Adding do or did in a positive sentence makes it stronger.
Auxiliary Verbs in Question Tags
You have lost your keys, haven’t you?
She isn’t sick, is she?
Semi-Auxiliary Verbs — Verbs That Help Too
Some phrases act like auxiliary verbs to add extra meaning:
I happen to know him well.
She used to work in a library.
He was supposed to call me yesterday.
They are going to sell their house.
You had better find your tickets.
Auxiliary Verbs That Can Also Be Main Verbs
Sometimes to do, to have, and to be are main verbs.
We do laundry on Mondays. → Do we do laundry on Mondays?
She has a dog. → She doesn’t have a dog.
I am tall. → Am I tall?
The verb to be does not need another auxiliary to form questions or negatives.
