AUXILIARY VERBS

Auxiliary Verbs: is used with a main verb to help express the main verb’s tense (when
an action took place; if the action is habitual, ongoing or completed), mood (to show
how it is to be regarded ‘as a fact, a command, a wish, an uncertainty’) or voice
(whether the subject is doing the action of the verb or being acted upon).
The main auxiliary verbs are: to be, to have, to do. They appear in the following
forms:
To Be: am, is, are, was, were, being, been, will be, wasn’t, was not, aren’t, are not,
weren’t, were not. (Used as an action verb).
To Have: has, have, had, having, will have, hadn’t, had not. (Used to denote
ownership, to discuss ability or describe appearance. Also to substitute for the verbs
“eat” and “drink”).
To Do: does, do, did, will do, done, didn’t, doesn’t, did not. (Used as an action verb, in
some cases to add emphasis, to form questions and negate clauses).
Examples of auxiliary verbs expressing tense:
He had eaten the whole pie. (past perfect tense).
He was snoring all night. (past progressive tense).
Examples of auxiliary verbs expressing mood:
Did it go well? (interrogative mood).
Do it now. (imperative mood).
Examples of auxiliary verbs expressing voice:
The pie was eaten by the dog. (passive voice).
Modal auxiliary verbs: modal auxiliary verbs combine with other verbs to express
ideas such as a necessity, possibility, intention and ability. we use modals to show if
we believe something is certain, possible or impossible. Also used to ask permission
and make requests and offers. Modal verbs are: can, could, may, might, must, ought
to, shall, should, will and would.
Examples of modal auxiliary verbs expressing necessity:
It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.
I don’t say we all ought to misbehave, but we ought to look as if we could.
A baby is God’s opinion that life should go on.
Examples of modal auxiliary verbs expressing possibility:
It is never too late to be what you might have been.
If there were not bad people, there would be no good lawyers.
Example of modal auxiliary verbs expression intention:
We shall heal our wounds, collect our dead and continue fighting.
Example of modal auxiliary expression ability:
No one can feel as helpless as the owner of a sick goldfish.
Well, either side could win it, or it could be a draw.

Be, have and do are not always auxiliary verbs. They can act as main verbs being
supported by auxiliary verbs. Example:
I have inspiration. If I was educated, I would be a damn fool.
I really like vampire books. I might have a problem.
If you can dream it, you can do it.

Use Can for ability and May for permission:

I can whistle. (I have the ability to whistle).
May I have a biscuit? (Am I permitted to have a biscuit?)