What Is an Auxiliary Verb? | How To Uses With Examples

What Is an Auxiliary Verb? How To Uses With Example?

You may have heard auxiliary verbs referred to as auxiliary verbs, but what is such a verb and what does it do in English? When we say that it is "helping" a major verb, we mean that it is helping to clarify. Auxiliary verbs help to clarify whether an action will occur, when the main action occurs, who or what is responsible for that action, and whether we are asking a question. Explore what auxiliary verbs are and how to use them in English.

What Is An Auxiliary Verb? 

An auxiliary verb "helps" the main verb of a sentence by adding tense, voice, mood, or modality to the main verb. Auxiliary verbs cannot stand alone in sentences; In order to make money they have to be connected to a main verb.

Examples of Auxiliary Verb

Here are some examples of auxiliary verbs or verb phrases. In the following examples, the verb phrase is slanted and the auxiliary verb is in bold.

• I have just made plans.
• Did Matthew bring hot tea?
• He had planned it another way.
• He was baking a pie for dessert. 
• Samy doesn’t ski or roller skate. 
• John is taking Alex to the airport.
• But he isn't listening to his bluffs.
• Didn’t I ruin a lot of planned trips?
• I am going to make a trip to London. 
• Uncle has been working hard all day.
• I don’t want to ruin this plan this time.
• I cannot really dear her creepy attitude.
• She is doing it for fixing a date for them. 
• The bed was made as soon as Dad got up.
• Now she is convincing her to go with him.
• Mary is writing a message to his boyfriend.
• His boyfriend didn't know anything about it.
• I must find an alternative place to go if he goes.
• Has Emilia been planning to go on a trip to Canada? 
• I will not go with him even if there is no other option.
• Recently she has heard that a restaurant is offering a good deal for couples.
• Instantly, she was excited and penciled a table for them.
• However, she should have consulted his boyfriend first.
• Do you want to go alone or do you want to go with her?
• Moreover, I will not go to United Kingdom if she goes there.
• Did he know that he had become the most hated man in the world?

Auxiliary Verbs To Be, Do, and Have

Since some of these words are "to be" verbs, which can serve as main verbs, it is important to know the difference between the two (2). According to the "American Heritage Guide to Contemporary Usage and Style", there are four (4) ways in which auxiliary verbs differ from main verbs.

First, auxiliary verbs do not end the word to create particles or to agree with their subject and thus it is correct to say "I can go" but it is wrong to say "I can go". Second, auxiliary verbs precede negative clauses and do not use the word "do" to form them. The main verb must use "do" to form a negative and not like the phrase "we don't dance".

Auxiliary verbs also always come before the topic in a question, where the main verbs use "do" and follow the subject to form the question. Therefore, the word "can" in the question is "Can I have another apple?" 'Do you want to go to the movies?' Acts as main verb.

The final difference between the two forms of the verb is that the auxiliary words take the infinitive without the need for the word "to", as in the sentence "I will call you tomorrow." On the other hand, the main verbs that take an infinitive always use the word "to" such as "I promise to call you tomorrow."

Auxiliary Verb Exercises

Fill in the gaps with the correct auxiliary verbs from the choices presented below:

1. What stage _______________ the kids at when you last saw them? (was, were, are, did, been)
2. Jessica ________________ always wanted to try skydiving. (was, doesn’t, has, is, have)
3. Where _________________ you go for summer vacation? (were, been, are, did, does)
4. Why do you think he __________ call you like he said he would? (didn’t, is, hasn’t, has been, have)
5. Mick ____________ going to be upset when he hears what happened. (will, don’t, is, didn’t, has)
6. Megha ___________ want to go to the movies; she wants to stay home instead. (doesn’t, isn’t, wasn’t, hasn’t, was not)
7. I _________________ appreciate his jokes. (did, have, been, didn’t, haven’t)
8. I really like meat but I _____________ care for fish. (weren’t, been, don’t, is, was)
9. Where _____________ you going when I saw you last day? (were, was, is, do, did)
10. Jack ________________ called yet; he’s late as usual. (are, were, has, hasn’t, wouldn’t)

Answers: 1 – were, 2 – has, 3 – did, 4 – didn’t, 5 – is, 6 – doesn’t, 7 – didn’t, 8 – don’t, 9 – were, 10 – hasn’t

More: Modal Verb Definition

When Are Auxiliary Verbs Taught?

Auxiliary verbs are taught during elementary school English based lessons. Kids will be encouraged to use auxiliary verbs in their writing and you can use the excellent range of Education Sciences Topic to help you with that.