Auxiliary verb

Auxiliary Verb
A verb which helps other ordinary verbs to form different tenses, questions,
negative and passive forms is called auxiliary (helping) verb.

Auxiliary verbs do not appear alone in the sentence but always accompany one or
more other verbs.

Auxiliary verbs combine with present or past participle to form the tenses of
ordinary verbs. Or they are combined with infinitive to indicate permission,
possibility, obligation…etc.

The list of auxiliary verb:

Be [am, is, are, was, were] Been, Being.

Have [Have, Has, Had]

Do [Do, Does, Did]

Shall, Should, Will, Would, Can, Could, May, Might, Must, Need, Dare, Ought to,
Used to. Auxiliary Verb are 24 in total

The Auxiliaries are divided in to three parts.

1. Principle “primary” Auxiliary Verbs
2. Modal Auxiliary Verbs
3. Semi Modal Auxiliary Verbs

1. Principle Auxiliary Verbs

These verbs form the main parts of auxiliary verbs; they are used in formation of
tenses, questions and negative forms.

The principle auxiliary verbs are as follow:

a) To Be [am, is, was, are, were]

b) To Have [Have, Has, Had]
c) To Do [Do, Does, Did]

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Auxiliary verb

To Be Verbs are used to show state in the sentences.

Example:

Present conjugation Past conjugation

 I am writing a letter now.  I was a student.

 You are a teacher.  She was a teacher last year.
 I am a freshman.  You were very happy yesterday.

To Have Verbs are those which show ownership.

Example:

 We have fixed the car already.

 She has finished the lesson two years ago.

To Do Verbs are those which show performing of an action.

 I do study my lesson.
 She does come to course.

Note: if there is not a to be verb in a sentence we use to do verb in the negative

and form of it.

 I come to course every day.

 Do I come to course very day?
 I do not come to course every day.

Note; when principle auxiliaries are used alone they are ordinary verbs but when
followed by other verbs in above specialties are auxiliary verbs.

Example:

 I am studying math. (Auxiliary)

 I am a student. (Ordinary)

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Auxiliary verb

2. Modal Auxiliary Verb

Modal auxiliary verbs are used with basic forms of verbs to express attitudes
toward what they are writing.

Note: the modal auxiliary verbs do not have any final (s) or (es) at the third
singular person, they do not have any past participle and infinitive form. Therefor
can’t be used in the continuous form.

These verbs are as follow:

Can, could, shall, will, should, would, may, might, must, ought to.

Can and Could

 Can shows ability, could can be is used in its past form. In other tenses (to be
able) is used instead of can.

Example:

 I can speak English well.

 I could jog three hours last year.
 He will be able to pass the exam tomorrow.

Note: the verb could may sometimes show a present probability.

Example:

If I participate in the class every day I could certainly succeed in the exam.

Shall and Will

Will and shall indicate an action that will happen in the future.

I will go there next month.

We shall call him tomorrow.

Note: will can be used in the informal request.

Ex: will you help me?

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Auxiliary verb

Should and would

Should and would are used in the past form of will and shall.

Example:

 I would see him if he didn’t go.

 We should have gone if you had come.

Note: should can also a weak instruction in the present tense.

Ex: He should study his lessen.

Would is usually combined with words (please) and (mind) to express a polite
request.

Ex: Would you please close the door?

Would you mind telling me the fact?

Memo: (Would you please) is used with the simple form of the verb but (Would
you mind) is followed by ing form of the verb.

Ought to

Ought to express strongest command than should.

Example:

You ought to bring your books every day.

I ought to tell him the fact.

Must
Must shows the strongest command, in other tenses (have to) is used instead of it.

Example: I must do it.

 I will have to do it.

 She has to come on time.

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Auxiliary verb

3. Semi Modal auxiliary verb

There are three semi modal auxiliary verbs in English which are as follow.

(Need, Dare, Used to)

Need: is used to express necessity or obligation.
Example:

 I need to call him now.

 He need come.

Note: it is used both as auxiliary and ordinary verbs. When it is used alone or
followed by an infinitive is ordinary verb. But when it is followed by other verbs in
the sentences or when it is used in question or negative is auxiliary verb.

Example:

 I need a pen to write. (Ordinary)

 I need hardly take his help. (Auxiliary)
 You need not answer in English. ( Auxiliary)
 Need he come? ( Auxiliary)

Dare: it shows courage and bravery.

Ex: I dare to punish him.

They can’t dare to come here.

Note: it is used both as ordinary and auxiliary verbs.

 As an ordinary it is used alone or followed by infinitive and in the question and

negative (To Do) verbs are used with it, and for third singular person it takes
(s, es).

Example:

 He dares to swim 100 miles.

 I don’t dare to tell him the news.
 Do you dare to come home late?

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Auxiliary verb

 As an auxiliary verb it is used with other verbs in form of bare infinitive, in

question and negative forms.

Example:

 I dare not ask him for money.

 How dare he talk like that?
 He dares com there.
 Dare you jump off the wall?

Used to
 If used to is used with simple form of the verb means before.

Example:

 I used to go concerts every day.

 She used to work in a kindergarten.
 What did he used to do?
 I didn’t used to study here.

 If used to is used with to be verbs and followed by (ing) form of the verb shows
habit.

Example:

 I am used to studying.
 He is used to smoking.
 I am used to playing volleyball.
 They are used to playing soccer.
 He is used to chewing food very well.

‫ومن هللا توفیق‬

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