Auxiliary Verbs – Definition & Examples – PDF
In this article we will learn auxiliary verbs in English language. These verbs also known as helping verbs are small verbs that support the main verb and are usually used to form different verb tenses. For example, in the sentence “She is studying,” the word “is” acts as an auxiliary verb, indicating that the action (“studying”) is happening right now. It is easy right? Let’s learn more…
There are two groups of auxiliary verbs in English: primary and modal auxiliary verbs.
Primary Auxiliary Verbs
Primary auxiliary verbs are be, have, and do. They help form different tenses, questions, negatives, and emphatic expressions. Primary auxiliaries change their form according to the subject and tense. For example:
→He is sleeping. (present) → He was sleeping. (past)
Here’s an easy table for Primary Auxiliary Verbs and how they change according to tense and subject:
| Verb | Present Tense | Past Tense | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Be | am / is / are | was / were | She is happy. → She was happy. |
| Have | have / has | had | They have finished. → They had finished. |
| Do | do / does | did | He does his work. → He did his work. |
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Modal verbs add meaning to a sentence by indicating possibility, necessity, ability, or permission. In contrast to regular auxiliary verbs, modal auxiliary verbs never change their form.
→She must go. (present) → She must go. (past) (“Must” remains the same in both tenses.)
Examples:
- You must submit the report by Friday. (Necessity)
- She can swim very well. (Ability)
- They might visit us tomorrow. (Possibility)
- May I borrow your pen? (Permission)
How Are Supporting Verbs Used in Sentences?
Well, there is an easy way to recognize them. Auxiliary verbs are always used with a main verb and typically come before it. Check the examples below:
Examples:
- He has finished his homework. (“Has” helps form the present perfect tense.)
- They were watching TV. (“Were” helps form the past continuous tense.)
- Did you enjoy the movie? (“Did” is used to form a question.)
Sometimes, sentences require more than one auxiliary verb, especially in perfect continuous tenses.
- She has been working here for three years.
- They had been waiting for the bus for over an hour.
- We will have been living in this city for ten years next month.
Auxiliary Verbs and Tenses
Auxiliary verbs are essential in forming different verb tenses.
| Tense Type | Past | Present | Future |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | I was reading. | I am reading. | I will be reading. |
| Perfect | I had read. | I have read. | I will have read. |
| Perfect Progressive | I had been reading. | I have been reading. | I will have been reading. |
Note: The simple past and present tenses (e.g., “I read,” “She runs”) do not use auxiliary verbs.
Auxiliary Verbs and Mood
Verb mood expresses the tone and intention of a sentence. Auxiliary and modal verbs help convey different moods.
| Mood | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Indicative | States a fact | He is working. |
| Imperative | Gives a command | Do not touch that! |
| Interrogative | Asks a question | Have you seen my keys? |
| Conditional | Expresses a condition | You can go if you finish your work. |
| Subjunctive | Expresses a wish or hypothetical | If I were taller, I would play basketball. |
Passive Voice and Auxiliary Verbs
Passive voice sentences use auxiliary verbs along with a past participle.
Example:
The cake was baked by my grandmother. (“Was” is the auxiliary verb, “baked” is the past participle.)
Here are more examples of passive voice sentences using auxiliary verbs with past participles:
1. The book was written by a famous author. (“Was” is the auxiliary verb, “written” is the past participle.)
2. The emails have been sent to all employees. (“Have been” is the auxiliary verb, “sent” is the past participle.)
3. A new bridge is being built in the city. (“Is being” is the auxiliary verb, “built” is the past participle.)
4. The decision had been made before the meeting started. (“Had been” is the auxiliary verb, “made” is the past participle.)
5. The project will be completed by next month. (“Will be” is the auxiliary verb, “completed” is the past participle.)
Other Uses of Auxiliary Verbs
1. Question Tags
Auxiliary verbs are often used in short question tags at the end of a sentence.
- You like pizza, don’t you?
- She isn’t coming, is she?
2. Avoiding Repetition
To avoid repeating a verb, we can use an auxiliary verb instead.
- I don’t like coffee, but she does. (“Does” replaces “likes coffee.”)
3. Negative Statements
Negative statements place not after the auxiliary verb.
- I am not going to the party.
- He has not finished his project.
If no auxiliary verb is present, we use “do” to create a negative sentence.
- She doesn’t eat meat.
- They didn’t go to the concert.
4. Adding Emphasis
Auxiliary verbs can be used for emphasis, especially in speech.
- I do understand your concerns!
- You must be joking!
Auxiliary verbs play a crucial role in English grammar. If you want to form different tenses, creating questions, or emphasizing a statement, mastering them will improve your fluency. Keep practicing, and don’t forget to grab your free PDF for additional learning support!
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