Have you ever wondered what the 25 auxiliary verbs are? These overlooked words might seem insignificant, but they play a crucial role in our daily conversations and writing. They are the unsung heroes that add meaning and depth to our sentences, and without them, our language would fall flat. So, what exactly are these words?
The 25 auxiliary verbs are: be, being, been, am, is, are, was, were, have, has, had, do, does, did, can, could, will, would, shall, should, may, might, must, ought, and dare. Memorizing them might seem daunting, but once you understand their functions, they become easier to use. These verbs are called “auxiliary” because they assist the main verb in a sentence, indicating tense, mood, or voice.
Knowing how to use these auxiliary verbs correctly can make a world of difference in your writing. They allow you to express ideas more precisely and efficiently, creating a more natural flow in your sentences. Whether you’re writing an email, a report, or a novel, understanding these verbs will elevate your language and make your writing more engaging. So, the next time you’re struggling to find the right word, look to these 25 helpers, and watch your writing soar.
Definition of Auxiliary Verbs
Auxiliary verbs are also known as helping verbs. These verbs work together with the main verb to create a more complex verb phrase. They assist in forming tense, voice, mood, and other grammatical aspects of the sentence, providing additional information about the action or state of being that is being described.
Common examples of auxiliary verbs include “be,” “have,” “do,” and “will.” They can also be used in combination to create different verb tenses such as the future perfect tense (“will have eaten”), past perfect tense (“had eaten”), and present perfect continuous tense (“have been eating”).
- Be: am, is, are, was, were, being, been
- Have: has, have, had, having
- Do: do, does, did, doing
- Modals: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would
Auxiliary verbs can also provide important clues about the intended meaning of a sentence. For example, the use of “might” in a sentence indicates uncertainty or possibility, while “must” conveys a sense of necessity or obligation.
Understanding the role of auxiliary verbs is key to mastering English grammar and effectively communicating with others. By using them correctly, you can add depth and nuance to your written and spoken language, conveying precise meanings and intentions with ease.
Below is a table that lists the 25 auxiliary verbs in English:
| Auxiliary Verb | Forms |
|---|---|
| Be | am, is, are, was, were, being, been |
| Have | has, have, had, having |
| Do | do, does, did, doing |
| Modals | can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would |
Mastering the use of auxiliary verbs can take time and practice, but it is an essential aspect of becoming a fluent and effective English speaker. By familiarizing yourself with these important grammatical tools and using them correctly in your writing and speaking, you can convey your thoughts and ideas with precision and clarity.
Functions of auxiliary verbs
Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, are used in English grammar to complement the main verb. They serve various functions in forming different tenses, asking questions, negating clauses, and expressing emphasis or possibility. Here are some of the main functions of auxiliary verbs:
- Forming tenses: Auxiliary verbs combine with the main verb to indicate the time, aspect, and voice of the sentence. For example:
- The present continuous tense uses the auxiliary “to be” + the present participle (-ing) of the verb: “She is reading a book now.”
- The past perfect tense uses the auxiliary “had” + the past participle of the verb: “They had gone before I arrived.”
- The future perfect tense uses the auxiliary “will have” + the past participle of the verb: “By the time you finish, I will have left.”
- Asking questions: To form a question, we often use an auxiliary verb before the subject. The type of auxiliary verb depends on the tense and whether the question is yes/no or open-ended. For example:
- The present simple tense uses the auxiliary “do” for yes/no questions and “what/who/where/etc. + do” for open-ended questions: “Do you like pizza?” / “What does he do for a living?”
- The past continuous tense uses the auxiliary “was/were” for yes/no questions and “what/who/where/etc. + was/were” for open-ended questions: “Were you sleeping at 10 p.m.?” / “Where was she going at that time?”
- The present perfect tense uses the auxiliary “have/has” for yes/no questions and “what/who/where/etc. + have/has” for open-ended questions: “Have you ever been to Japan?” / “What have you done today?”
- Negating clauses: To make a negative sentence, we use the auxiliary “not” after the auxiliary verb or before the main verb. For example:
- The present continuous tense uses the auxiliary “to be” + “not” + the present participle (-ing) of the verb: “She is not watching TV now.”
- The past perfect tense uses the auxiliary “had” + “not” + the past participle of the verb: “They hadn’t seen each other for years.”
- The future perfect tense uses the auxiliary “will have” + “not” + the past participle of the verb: “I will not have finished the report by tomorrow.”
- Expressing emphasis or possibility: Auxiliary verbs can also be used to add emphasis or express possibility in a sentence. For example:
- The modal verbs “can,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “must,” “shall,” “should,” “will,” and “would” express various degrees of ability, permission, obligation, prediction, or suggestion: “You must finish this project on time.”
- The non-modal auxiliary “do/does” can be used to add emphasis to a sentence: “I do love you.”
| Auxiliary Verb | Example | Function |
|---|---|---|
| To be | She is happy. | Forming the present continuous tense |
| To have | They have been to Italy. | Forming the present perfect tense |
| To do | I do like chocolate. | Emphasis |
| Can | You can swim well. | Expressing ability |
| Will | They will arrive soon. | Forming the future tense |
Primary Auxiliary Verbs
Primary auxiliary verbs are verbs that are used to form verb phrases. These verbs are “be,” “do,” and “have.” They are called primary auxiliary verbs because they are used to form different tenses, questions, negatives, and emphatic statements. Primary auxiliary verbs are important because they help us to convey different meanings and tenses while speaking or writing.
- Be: The verb ‘be’ is used as a main verb to describe a state of being or to indicate existence, but as a primary auxiliary verb, it is used to form continuous tenses like present continuous, past continuous, and future continuous. Example: “I am studying for my exam”.
- Do: The verb ‘do’ is mainly used as a main verb to express actions and to form questions and negatives, but as a primary auxiliary verb, it is used in simple present tense and simple past tense to form the negative and interrogative forms. Example: “Do you like pizza?”
- Have: The verb ‘have’ as a main verb is used to express possession or ownership, but as a primary auxiliary verb, it is used to form perfect tenses. Example: “I have finished my homework”.
Using primary auxiliary verbs helps to express different tenses and meaning in sentences. Below is a table that shows the different tenses formed using the primary auxiliary verbs.
| Tense | Be | Do | Have |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | am/is/are | do/does | have/has |
| Past Simple | was/were | did | had |
| Present Continuous | am/is/are + verb+ing | ||
| Past Continuous | was/were + verb+ing | ||
| Present Perfect | have/has + past participle | ||
| Past Perfect | had + past participle |
Primary auxiliary verbs are key to forming proper grammar in written and spoken English. Before moving on to the secondary auxiliary verbs, it’s important to master the use of primary auxiliary verbs in various tenses and sentence structures.
Modal auxiliary verbs
Modal auxiliary verbs, also known as modals, are a type of auxiliary verb that indicate the attitude or modality of the speaker towards the action or state expressed by the main verb.
Modal verbs are always used in conjunction with a main verb to express the speaker’s opinion, attitude, obligation, probability, ability, permission, or prohibition about the action or state expressed by the main verb.
List of Modal Auxiliary Verbs
- can
- could
- may
- might
- shall
- should
- will
- would
- must
Usage of Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Modal auxiliary verbs are used in a variety of contexts and situations. Here are some examples:
Probability: “It may rain tomorrow.”
Obligation: “You should study for your exam.”
Permission: “You can borrow my car.”
Prohibition: “You mustn’t tell anyone about the surprise party.”
Ability: “I can speak French fluently.”
Request: “Could you pass me the salt, please?”
Table of Modal Auxiliary Verbs with Examples
| Modal Auxiliary Verb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| can | I can play the guitar. |
| could | Could you please close the window? |
| may | May I borrow your pen? |
| might | He might not come to the party. |
| shall | Shall we go for a walk? |
| should | You should apologize for what you said. |
| will | I will help you with your homework. |
| would | Would you like to come with me? |
| must | You must finish your work before you go out. |
Modal auxiliary verbs are an essential part of English grammar. By understanding their uses and meanings, you can communicate your thoughts and ideas more effectively.
Semi-modal auxiliary verbs
Semi-modal auxiliary verbs are a group of verbs that behave similarly to modal verbs in terms of their function in a sentence but are not categorized as modal verbs. They are also sometimes referred to as semi-auxiliaries or pseudo-auxiliaries. These verbs function as auxiliaries in some contexts and as main verbs in others. Some common examples of semi-modal auxiliary verbs are:
- ought to
- used to
- have to
- need to
- dare to
- had better
- have got to
- be able to
- be going to
Semi-modal auxiliary verbs have similar characteristics to modal verbs in terms of their meaning and usage. They are used to express various degrees of obligation, necessity, ability, permission, likelihood, and intention. However, unlike modal verbs, they can take different forms in different tenses and moods and can be modified by adverbs and negation.
For example, the semi-modal auxiliary verb “used to” is used to describe a past habit or action that no longer happens. It can be used in different tenses and moods and can be modified by adverbs:
- Present: I am used to working long hours.
- Past: I used to work long hours when I was younger.
- Conditional: If I had more free time, I would be used to spending it outdoors.
Semi-modal auxiliary verbs can also be used in combination with other modal verbs to express a higher degree of modality. For example, the combination of “have to” and “must” can be used to express a strong obligation or necessity:
| Modal combination | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I have to go. | There is an obligation for me to go. |
| I must go. | There is a strong obligation for me to go. |
| I have to must go. | There is a very strong obligation for me to go. |
In conclusion, semi-modal auxiliary verbs are a unique group of verbs that share characteristics with modal verbs but are not categorized as such. They are versatile and can be used in different tenses and moods and in combination with other modal verbs to express various degrees of modality.
Difference between auxiliary verbs and linking verbs
Before delving into the list of 25 auxiliary verbs, it’s important to first understand the difference between auxiliary verbs and linking verbs.
Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, are used with main verbs to form various tenses, moods, and voices. They do not have a meaning of their own, but instead, add context to the main verb. For example, in the sentence “She is running marathons,” the auxiliary verb “is” is used to indicate that the action of running is currently happening.
On the other hand, linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a noun, pronoun, or adjective that describes or identifies it. They do not show any action and are sometimes referred to as state-of-being verbs. For example, in the sentence “She feels tired after the marathon,” the linking verb “feels” connects the subject (“she”) to the adjective (“tired”).
25 Auxiliary Verbs
- be
- do
- have
- may
- might
- must
- can
- could
- shall
- should
- will
- would
- did
- had
- been
- being
- am
- is
- are
- was
- were
- has
- have
- do
- does
When to Use Auxiliary Verbs
Auxiliary verbs are used to form different tenses, such as the present continuous, past continuous, and future perfect, as well as the passive voice and conditional moods. They are also used in questions, negatives, and tag questions. For example, “Are you going to the store?” uses the auxiliary verb “are” to form a question.
Additionally, auxiliary verbs are used to add emphasis to a sentence. For example, “I do love you” emphasizes the speaker’s feelings.
Auxiliary Verbs in a Table
As a visual aid, here is a table of the different tenses formed using auxiliary verbs:
| Tense | Primary Auxiliary Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present simple | do/does | He does his homework every day. |
| Present continuous | be | She is reading a book right now. |
| Present perfect | have/has | I have finished my work already. |
| Past simple | did | They did their laundry yesterday. |
| Past continuous | be | He was studying all night. |
| Past perfect | had | She had already eaten dinner before the movie. |
| Future simple | will | We will arrive early for the concert. |
| Future continuous | be | They will be skiing in Aspen next month. |
| Future perfect | have/has | By this time next year, I will have graduated college. |
Understanding auxiliary verbs is essential for proper sentence construction and effective communication. Whether you’re writing or speaking, utilizing these verbs correctly can make a big difference in how your message is received.
Common Usage Mistakes with Auxiliary Verbs
Using auxiliary verbs correctly is important in constructing clear and logical sentences. However, even native speakers make mistakes when it comes to using these verbs. Here are some of the most common usage mistakes:
- Using the wrong auxiliary verb: One of the most common mistakes is using the wrong auxiliary verb. For example, using “do” instead of “did” in past tense questions: “Do you went to the store yesterday?” It should be “Did you go to the store yesterday?”
- Using the wrong form of the auxiliary verb: Another common mistake is using the wrong form of the auxiliary verb. For example, using “have” instead of “has” with he, she, or it: “He have a car.” It should be “He has a car.”
- Overusing auxiliary verbs: While auxiliary verbs are essential in constructing sentences, overusing them can make your writing confusing. Try to use them only when necessary.
- Misusing contractions: It’s common to misuse contractions with auxiliary verbs. For example, using “could of” instead of “could have”: “I could of gone to the store.” It should be “I could have gone to the store.”
Common Auxiliary Verbs That Need to Be Avoided
There are some auxiliary verbs that should be avoided because they can make sentences ambiguous or confusing. Here are some of them:
| Auxiliary Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Do | Used for emphasis or questions | She does like ice cream. Do you like ice cream? |
| Be | Used to show states or qualities | He is happy. She was tired. |
| Have | Used to show possession or completion of an action | She has a car. He has eaten breakfast. |
| Will | Used to show future intent | I will go to the store later. |
Using Auxiliary Verbs with Conditionals
Auxiliary verbs are commonly used with conditionals to express hypothetical situations. However, there are some common mistakes that people make when it comes to using these verbs in conditionals:
- Misusing “could” and “would”: “Could” is used for hypothetical situations, while “would” is used for less hypothetical situations. For example, “If I could fly, I would explore the world” is correct, but “If I would fly, I could explore the world” is incorrect.
- Misusing “should” and “would”: “Should” is used to suggest an action, while “would” is used to describe the consequences of an action. For example, “If you should see her, tell her I said hello” is correct, but “If you would see her, tell her I said hello” is incorrect.
FAQs: What Are the 25 Auxiliary Verbs?
Q: What are auxiliary verbs?
A: Auxiliary verbs are a type of helping verb that support the main verb in a sentence in expressing tense, mood, or voice.
Q: What are the 25 auxiliary verbs in English?
A: The 25 auxiliary verbs in English are: be, am, is, are, was, were, being, been, have, has, had, do, does, did, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would, can, could, being able to, and having to.
Q: How are auxiliary verbs used in a sentence?
A: Auxiliary verbs are used to form verb phrases, which are comprised of one or more auxiliary verbs and a main verb. The main verb provides the main idea or action of the sentence, while the auxiliary verb supports the main verb by indicating the tense, mood, or voice.
Q: What is the significance of auxiliary verbs in English language?
A: Auxiliary verbs help speakers and writers to express complex concepts and convey precise meaning in their writing or speech. They are necessary to form verb tenses, such as the past perfect tense and the future progressive tense.
Q: Can auxiliary verbs also act as main verbs?
A: Yes, some auxiliary verbs can also be used as main verbs. For example, “be” can function as a main verb in a sentence, such as “I am tired.” In this sentence, “am” acts as the main verb, while “tired” acts as the predicate.
Q: How can one identify auxiliary verbs in a sentence?
A: Auxiliary verbs in a sentence are typically followed by a main verb in either a simple form or a past participle form. For example, “I am going” or “She has eaten.” The auxiliary verb “am” and “has” support the main verbs “going” and “eaten,” respectively.
Q: Are there any exceptions to the use of auxiliary verbs in English?
A: While auxiliary verbs are an important part of English grammar, there are some instances where they may not be necessary or appropriate to use in a sentence. For example, in command or imperative sentences, auxiliary verbs are often omitted. For instance, the command “Come here” does not require an auxiliary verb.
Closing Thoughts
Thank you for taking the time to read about the 25 auxiliary verbs in English. These verbs are essential to the formation of verb phrases and communicating precise meaning in language. We hope this article has been informative and helpful to you. Please visit us again soon for more articles on grammar, language, and education!