AUXILIARIES

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Auxiliaries (also called helping verbs) are verbs that help the main verb to show tense, mood, voice, question, or emphasis.

They do not usually have full meaning on their own. They support the main verb.

Common Auxiliary Verbs

be, have, do, will, shall, can, may, must, should, would, could

Examples

1. She is dancing.
   → is helps show present action.
2. They have finished the work.
   → have helps show completed action.
3. Do you like tea?
   → do helps form a question.
4. He was punished.
   → was helps show passive voice.
5. I will call you tomorrow.
   → will helps show future time.
6. She can swim well.
   → can shows ability.
7. You must follow the rules.
   → must shows necessity.

Auxiliary verbs are mainly of two types:

1. Primary Auxiliaries

These are the most common helping verbs.
They can also act as main verbs.

a) Be (am, is, are, was, were)

Used to show continuous tense and passive voice.

Examples:

• She is reading.
• The letter was written by him.

1. b) Have (has, have, had)

Used to show the perfect tense.

Examples:

• I have finished my work.
• She had left early.

c) Do (do, does, did)

Used to form questions, negatives, and emphasis.

Examples:

• Do you like music?
• He did not come.
• I do believe you.

2. Modal Auxiliaries

These auxiliaries show ability, permission, possibility, duty, advice, or request.

Common Modal Auxiliaries:

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

Examples:

• She can sing well. (ability)
• You must follow the rules. (duty)
• May I come in? (permission)
• He should work harder. (advice)

FILL IN THE BLANKS CHOOSING THE CORRECT AUXILIARY VERB