Auxiliary verbs, also known as 'helping verbs' are verb that comes before another verb in order to form a question, a negative sentence, a tense or a passive sentence.
For example, in the following sentence what do you think is the auxiliary verb?
I don't like swimming.
When learning English, auxiliary verbs pop up time and again!
Can you identify which of the verbs below are full verbs and which are auxiliary verbs?
Lesson by Amanda, Cape Town English School
Auxiliary verbs are the verbs which help the main verb and give extra meaning to it. For example:
"I have studied English for three years."
The auxiliary verb have changes the tense of the sentence to present perfect, so we know the activity is ongoing.
"I studied English for three years."
This is your chance to practice question tags, isn't it?
Questions tags are a common way to make questions, aren't they?
You know how to use them, don't you?
You can't get all 11 correct, can you?
Chris thinks you will make a mistake, doesn't he?
Time for a basic grammar view:
The verbs be, have and do are auxiliary verbs when they are used with a main verb to form questions, negatives, tenses and passives. Modal verbs, like could and would, are also auxiliary verbs. Here are some quick examples:
"I am driving my car."
"We were looking for you."
"Do you know the way?"
Linking verbs connect subjects with nouns, pronouns, or adjectives.
Linking verbs can either be plural or singular and they must agrees with the subject of the sentence.
Read through the following questions; each one is missing an auxiliary verb. Choose the correct verb for each question.
Auxiliary verbs (also known as 'helping verbs') include be, do and have. They are used along with the main verb in a sentence to make questions, negative statements, passives and tenses.
'There are lots of things to buy.'
Auxiliary verbs are also known as 'helping verbs'.
The three most common auxiliary verbs are:
be, do and have
I am leaving = Leaving is the main verb. Am is the auxiliary.
