List of Auxiliary Verbs and How to Use Them in English Grammar
| Auxiliary Verb | Main Uses | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| be (am, is, are, was, were, being, been) | Form continuous tenses, passive voice | She is reading. The book was written by him. |
| have (has, have, had) | Form perfect tenses | They have finished. She had left. |
| do (do, does, did) | Form negatives/questions, add emphasis | Do you like tea? He did not come. I do want it! |
| can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must, ought to | Express mood, possibility, permission, obligation (Modal auxiliaries) | You can try. She must go. You should study. |
What Are Auxiliary Verbs in English?
Auxiliary verbs in English grammar are verbs that help the main verb to form tense, voice, mood, and sometimes to ask questions or form negatives. Common auxiliary verbs include ‘be’, ‘have’, ‘do’, and modal verbs like ‘can’ and ‘must’.
Types of Auxiliary Verbs
There are two main types of auxiliary verbs in English: primary auxiliaries and modal auxiliaries. Knowing their differences helps avoid many mistakes in grammar exams and writing tasks.
Primary Auxiliary Verbs
- be (am, is, are, was, were, being, been)
- have (has, have, had)
- do (do, does, did)
These verbs help form tenses, questions, and negatives. For example: “She is writing.”, “I have eaten.”, “Did you call?”
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
- can, could
- may, might
- shall, should
- will, would
- must, ought to
- dare, need, used to (sometimes classed as modals)
Modal auxiliaries express possibility, necessity, permission, or ability. For example: “He can swim.”, “You must finish your work.”
Auxiliary Verbs List and Forms
| Verb | Forms | Modal |
|---|---|---|
| be | am, is, are, was, were, being, been | No |
| have | have, has, had | No |
| do | do, does, did | No |
| can | can, could | Yes |
| may | may, might | Yes |
| shall | shall, should | Yes |
| will | will, would | Yes |
| must, ought to, dare, need, used to | One main form each | Yes |
How to Use Auxiliary Verbs in English
Auxiliary verbs help form different tenses, questions, negatives, and passive sentences. They also express moods like ability or obligation. Correct use is important in both spoken and written English.
Forming Tenses and Questions
- “She is eating.” (Present continuous – is + verb-ing)
- “They have finished.” (Present perfect – have + past participle)
- “Did you see him?” (Question – did + subject + base verb)
Making Negative Sentences
- “She does not like tea.” (do/does/did + not + base form)
- “He hasn’t finished.” (has/have + not + past participle)
Passive Voice
Auxiliary ‘be’ forms the passive. Example: “The letter was written by Arun.” For more, read Passive Voice.
Tag Questions and Emphasis
- “You are coming, aren’t you?” (tag question)
- “I do like ice-cream!” (emphasis)
Using Modal Auxiliary Verbs
- “Can I leave early?” (permission)
- “You must study hard.” (obligation)
- “He might come.” (possibility)
- Explore more at Modal Verbs.
Common Mistakes with Auxiliary Verbs
- Forgetting auxiliary verbs in questions or negatives (“She not like pizza” should be “She does not like pizza”).
- Using wrong forms (“He have finished” instead of “He has finished”).
- Using modals with ‘to’ plus verbs (“He can to swim” is incorrect; it should be “He can swim”).
- Mixing up modal meanings (confusing ‘must’ and ‘should’).
Tip: Always look for the pattern—auxiliary verb + main verb. Practising with examples from reliable pages like Vedantu helps understand these rules easily.
Auxiliary Verbs Examples in Sentences
- She is cooking dinner. (be + verb-ing)
- We have done our homework. (have + past participle)
- Did you see the movie? (did + base verb)
- You should rest now. (modal should + base verb)
- The ball was thrown by John. (be + past participle, passive voice)
Auxiliary Verbs in English Grammar: Why They Matter
Mastering auxiliary verbs helps in writing correct sentences, speaking fluently, and scoring well in exams. They are tested in school grammar, competitive exams, and are key for clear communication in English.
- For school exams: Recognise auxiliary verbs to answer questions and fill gaps.
- For writing and speaking: Use correct forms for tense, voice, and mood.
- For competitive exams: Spot errors, re-write sentences, and transform voices.
At Vedantu, we make grammar topics like auxiliary verbs simple with clear explanations and plenty of examples. For further study, see Helping Verbs, Tenses, and Present Perfect Tense.
Summary
Auxiliary verbs, or helping verbs, work with main verbs to form correct English sentences. They are essential for tenses, questions, negatives, passive voice, and expressing possibility, necessity, or permission. Learning to use auxiliary verbs builds strong grammar, enhances writing, and supports success in exams and daily communication.
FAQs on Auxiliary Verbs: Meaning, Types & Example Sentences
1. What is an auxiliary verb in English?
Auxiliary verbs, also called helping verbs, support the main verb in a sentence to create different tenses, voices (active or passive), and moods. They include primary auxiliaries (be, do, have) and modal auxiliaries (can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must).
2. What are the primary auxiliary verbs and how are they used?
The primary auxiliary verbs are be, do, and have. They help form various tenses: be (am, is, are, was, were, being, been) helps create continuous and passive tenses (e.g., 'I am eating,' 'The book was read'); do (do, does, did) helps form questions and negatives (e.g., 'Do you understand?'); have (have, has, had, having) helps create perfect tenses (e.g., 'I have finished').
3. What are modal auxiliary verbs and their functions in English grammar?
Modal auxiliary verbs express possibility, necessity, permission, or ability. They include can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must. They always precede the main verb (e.g., 'I can swim,' 'You should study'). They don't change form to show tense or number.
4. What is the difference between auxiliary and main verbs?
A main verb expresses the action or state of being (e.g., 'run,' 'sleep,' 'is'). An auxiliary verb supports the main verb, helping to form tenses, moods, and voices. A sentence can have both (e.g., 'I am running').
5. How are auxiliary verbs used in forming questions in English?
In many questions, an auxiliary verb is placed before the subject. For example, 'Do you like pizza?' (using 'do'), 'Is she happy?' (using 'is'), 'Can they sing?' (using 'can').
6. How are auxiliary verbs used in negative sentences?
To make a sentence negative, 'not' is usually placed after the auxiliary verb. For example, 'I do not like broccoli,' 'She is not happy,' 'They cannot fly'.
7. How many auxiliary verbs are there in English?
There are 24 auxiliary verbs typically listed, encompassing primary and modal auxiliaries. The exact number depends on whether you count all forms of 'be', 'do', and 'have' separately.
8. What are some common mistakes students make with auxiliary verbs?
Common mistakes include incorrect tense formation, neglecting auxiliaries in questions and negatives, and confusing the use of primary and modal auxiliaries. Understanding the functions of each auxiliary verb and practicing sentence construction can help avoid these errors.
9. What are auxiliary verbs used for in the passive voice?
In the passive voice, the auxiliary verb 'be' is combined with the past participle of the main verb. For example, 'The cake was baked' or 'The letter is being written'. The choice of form of 'be' depends on the tense.
10. Can you use more than one auxiliary verb in a sentence?
Yes, it's possible and common to use more than one auxiliary verb in a sentence, especially when forming complex tenses. For example: 'I have been studying English' (using 'have' and 'been'), or 'The book will have been read' (using 'will' and 'have been').
11. What are auxiliary verbs in the present perfect continuous tense?
The present perfect continuous tense uses the auxiliary verbs have/has + been + the present participle (-ing form) of the main verb. For example, 'I have been working,' 'She has been studying'.
