What are Auxiliary Verbs: Definition, Usage & Examples

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What are Auxiliary Verbs

What are Auxiliary Verbs? Auxiliary verbs, also called helping verbs, are used alongside main verbs to form verb tenses, moods, or voices. Common helping verbs include be, do, and have, as well as modal verbs like can, will, shall, may, and must. For example, in “She is running,” “is” is the auxiliary verb helping to form the present continuous tense. They add grammatical meaning but do not stand alone. Also, they help convey various aspects such as tense, mood, voice, and modality. 

With the help of this blog, we will explore what are auxiliary verbs, and their types along with several examples to illustrate their usage.

What are Auxiliary Verbs?

What are Auxiliary Verbs? An auxiliary verb is a verb that accompanies a main verb to form a verb phrase. It provides additional information about the action being performed, such as when it occurs (tense), whether it is completed (aspect), or the speaker’s attitude toward the action (mood). 

The three main helping verbs include be, have, and do. However, all these three can also be used separately as action verbs. 

For instance, in the sentence “I have finished my homework,” the word “have” is the auxiliary verb that helps express the perfect aspect of the action. 

Apart from tense and aspect of time, helping verbs are also necessary for showing voice (Active and Passive Voice) which are useful for adding special emphasis, such as through tage questions.

Examples:

  • You like the food, don’t you?
  • I do like the book!

Also Read: Verb Forms v1 v2 v3 v4 v5

What are Different Types of Auxiliary Verbs?

Now that we are familiar with the basic definition of ‘what are auxiliary verbs’. Let us look at the types of helping verbs and their usage.

These verbs can be categorised into three main types:

  1. Primary Auxiliary Verbs: These are the most common helping verbs used to indicate tense, aspect, and voice. The primary helping verbs include:
    • Be: am, is, are, was, were
    • Have: has, have, had
    • Do: does, do, did

Examples:

  • She is reading a book. (present continuous)
  • They have completed their project. (present perfect)
  • Do you like ice cream? (question formation)
  1. Modal Auxiliary Verbs: Simply known as modal verbs, are known for changing the grammatical mood of a sentence. This means that one can use modal verbs to express different meanings of the main verb, such as showing possibility (“It might rain”), ability (“It can rain”), necessity (“It must rain”), or suggestion (“It should rain”)

Moreover, the modal verb will is necessary to express all future tenses (“It will rain”).

Some common modal helping verbs are

  • can, could
  • may, might
  • will, would
  • shall, should
  • must

Examples:

  • You can finish your homework. (ability)
  • She might come to the party. (possibility)
  • You must submit your assignment by Monday. (necessity)

One of the main differences between modal auxiliary verbs and auxiliary verbs is that the modal verbs do not get conjugated by a person. 

  1. Semi-Auxiliary Verbs: These include phrases that function similarly to helping verbs but are not classified strictly as such. 

Examples include “need to,” “ought to,” and “used to.”

What are Examples of Types of Auxiliary Verbs?

Here is a comprehensive list of 24 auxiliary or helping verbs categorised into primary and modal auxiliaries.

Primary Auxiliary Verbs

These verbs can stand alone as finite verbs and include:

  1. Am
  2. Is
  3. Are
  4. Was
  5. Were
  6. Have
  7. Has
  8. Had
  9. Do
  10. Does
  11. Did

Modal Auxiliary Verbs

These verbs cannot stand alone and are used to express modality (possibility, necessity, permission, etc.):

  1. Will
  2. Would
  3. Shall
  4. Should
  5. Can
  6. Could
  7. May
  8. Might
  9. Must
  10. Ought to
  11. Need (considered semi-modal)
  12. Dare (considered semi-modal)
  13. Used to (considered semi-modal)

Also Read: Verb Cheat Sheet

How are Auxiliary Verbs Used in Sentences?

Auxiliary verbs play a crucial role in English grammar by supporting the main verb in a sentence. Here’s how helping verbs are used in sentences:

  1. Forming Tenses: Helping verbs indicate the time an action occurs.

Example: “She is studying for her exams.” (present continuous tense)

  1. Creating Negatives: They help to form negative statements.

Example: “He does not like spicy food.” (negative form)

  1. Forming Questions: Helping verbs are essential for constructing interrogative sentences.

Example: “Do you want to join us for dinner?” (question form)

  1. Expressing Mood: They convey modality, indicating possibility, necessity, or permission.

Example: “You must finish your homework.” (necessity)

  1. Passive Voice Construction: Auxiliary verbs are used to create passive voice structures.

Example: “The book was written by the author.” (passive voice)

Also Read: All about Regular and Irregular Verbs

Examples of Modal Auxiliary Verbs Sentences

Now that you are aware of all the example words that are included under Modal Auxiliary verbs, let us look at how they can be used in the formation of sentences.

Can: She can speak three languages fluently.Could: When I was younger, I could run a mile in under six minutes.
May: You may leave the room once the test is finished.Might: It might rain later, so take an umbrella just in case.
Must: You must wear a helmet while riding a bike for safety.Shall: Shall we go to the movies tonight?
Should: You should see a doctor if you’re feeling unwell.Will: I will help you with your homework after dinner.
Would: If I had more time, I would travel around the world.Ought to: You ought to apologise for your mistake.
Need to: You need to finish your project by Friday.Can’t: She can’t attend the meeting because she is out of town.
Couldn’t: He couldn’t find his keys anywhere this morning.Might not: They might not come to the party if it rains.
Must not: You must not smoke in this area; it’s against the rules.Shall not: I shall not be attending the conference this year.
Wouldn’t: I wouldn’t recommend that restaurant; the food is not good.May not: You may not use your phone during the exam.
Needn’t: You needn’t worry about the presentation; it’s going to be fine.Dare not: I dare not speak out against my boss.

20 Examples of Auxiliary Verbs in Sentences

Here are 20 examples of sentences that utilise auxiliary verbs, showcasing their various functions in English grammar. You can easily save and download this image for future reference.

Also Read: Types of Sentences in English with Examples and Exercises

Importance of Auxiliary Verbs in Communication

Auxiliary verbs enhance clarity and precision in communication by allowing speakers to convey complex ideas about time, necessity, and modality. Without helping verbs, sentences would lack the depth needed to express nuanced meanings.

To conclude, helping verbs are vital for constructing grammatically correct sentences that convey clear meanings regarding time, mood, and voice. Understanding their functions is essential for mastering English grammar and effective communication

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FAQs

What are auxiliary verbs?

Also known as helping verbs, these verbs assist the main verb in a sentence. They provide grammatical structure and help express tense, mood, voice, and emphasis.

What are some common examples of auxiliary verbs?

Be: am, is, are, was, were, being, been
Do: do, does, did
Have: have, has, had
Modal verbs: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would

How do auxiliary verbs help form different verb tenses?

Present Continuous: I am eating. (using “be”)
Past Simple: She did eat. (using “do”)
Present Perfect: He has eaten. (using “have”)
Future Simple: They will eat. (using “will”)

Can helping verbs be used alone?

No, helping verbs always accompany the main verb. They cannot stand alone as the main verb in a sentence.

How do auxiliary verbs help in forming questions and negative sentences?

Question: Do you like pizza? (using “do”)
Negative: I did not eat the cake. (using “did”)

We hope this blog on What are Auxiliary Verbs; Examples was informative and helped you improve your English skills. You can also follow the Learn English page of Leverage Edu for more exciting and informative blogs related to English grammar and the English language.

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