Helping Verbs: A Key Component of Sentence Structure

A helping verb, also known as an auxiliary verb, is a verb used alongside a main verb to form various tenses, moods, and voices in a sentence. Helping verbs assist the main verb in expressing different aspects of the action or state described. They are essential for creating different verb tenses, forming questions and negatives, and building the passive voice.

Types of Helping Verbs

1. Forms of "Be": Includes "am," "is," "are," "was," "were," "be," "been," and "being." These verbs help to form continuous (progressive) tenses and the passive voice.

• Example: "She is running." (continuous tense)

2. Forms of "Have": Includes "have," "has," and "had." These verbs are used to form perfect tenses.

• Example: "They have finished their work." (present perfect tense)

3. Forms of "Do": Includes "do," "does," and "did." These verbs are used to form questions, negatives, and emphatic statements.

• Example: "Do you like ice cream?" (question)

Functions of Helping Verbs

• Forming Tenses: Helping verbs work with main verbs to create various tenses, such as present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect.

• Example: "She has been studying." (present perfect continuous tense)

• Creating Questions: Helping verbs are used to form questions by placing them before the subject.

• Example: "Are you coming to the party?"

• Making Negatives: Helping verbs help in forming negative sentences by adding "not".

• Example: "He does not want to leave."

• Building Passive Voice: Helping verbs are combined with the past participle of the main verb to form the passive voice.

• Example: "The letter was written by John."

How to Use Helping Verbs with Examples?

Helping verbs, or auxiliary verbs, are used alongside main verbs to form different tenses, voices, and moods in sentences. Here’s how to use them with examples:

1. Forming Tenses

Helping verbs are essential for creating various verb tenses, which indicate the timing of an action.

• Present Perfect Tense: Uses "have" or "has" with the past participle of the main verb.

• Example: "She has completed her homework."

• Past Perfect Tense: Uses "had" with the past participle of the main verb.

• Example: "They had left before the storm started."

• Future Perfect Tense: Uses "will have" with the past participle of the main verb.

• Example: "By next week, I will have finished the project."

2. Creating Questions

Helping verbs are placed before the subject to form questions.

• Present Simple Tense: Uses "do" or "does."

• Example: "Do you know the answer?"

• "Does she like pizza?"

• Past Simple Tense: Uses "did."

• Example: "Did they enjoy the concert?"

3. Making Negatives

Add "not" to helping verbs to create negative sentences.

• Present Simple Tense: Uses "do not" or "does not."

• Example: "He does not want to go."

• Past Simple Tense: Uses "did not."

• Example: "I did not see that movie."

4. Forming Continuous (Progressive) Tenses

Uses forms of "be" (am, is, are, was, were) with the main verb's present participle (verb + -ing).

• Present Continuous Tense: Uses "am," "is," or "are."

• Example: "She is reading a book."

• Past Continuous Tense: Uses "was" or "were."

• Example: "They were watching TV when it started raining."

5. Building Passive Voice

Uses forms of "be" with the past participle of the main verb to shift the focus from the subject to the action.

• Present Passive Voice: Uses "is," "are," "am."

• Example: "The cake is baked by Mary."

• Past Passive Voice: Uses "was" or "were."

• Example: "The letter was sent yesterday."

List of Helping Verbs of All Tenses

The following table provides a clear overview of how helping verbs are used to form various tenses and voices in English.

Review your Understanding of Helping Verbs

Exercise 1: Identify the Helping Verbs

Read the following sentences and underline the helping verbs.

1. She is going to the store.

2. They have been studying for the exam.

3. By next month, I will have finished the project.

4. We are watching a movie right now.

5. He was working late last night.

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct helping verb.

1. She ___ (have) already completed her homework.

2. They ___ (be) planning the trip for months.

3. I ___ (will) attend the meeting tomorrow.

4. By the time you arrive, he ___ (have) been waiting for an hour.

5. The movie ___ (be) released next week.

Exercise 3: Transform the Sentences

Rewrite the following sentences in the passive voice.

1. The chef cooked a delicious meal.

2. They have repaired the car.

3. The team will complete the project by Friday.

4. She was writing a letter.

5. I am cleaning the house.

Exercise 4: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct helping verb to complete each sentence.

1. By the time you get here, they ___ (will have/has) already left.

2. She ___ (was/were) reading a book when I called.

3. We ___ (are/were) planning a surprise party for her.

4. The report ___ (was/were) submitted on Monday.

5. I ___ (have/had) been studying all night.

Exercise 5: Sentence Correction

Correct the errors in the use of helping verbs in the following sentences.

1. She have been working here for five years.

2. They will finished their project by tomorrow.

3. I am went to the store yesterday.

4. The letter were sent last week.

5. He does not understood the instructions.

Check the answers given below:

Exercise 1: Identify the Helping Verbs

1. She is going to the store.

2. They have been studying for the exam.

3. By next month, I will have finished the project.

4. We are watching a movie right now.

5. He was working late last night.

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

1. She has already completed her homework.

2. They have been planning the trip for months.

3. I will attend the meeting tomorrow.

4. By the time you arrive, he will have been waiting for an hour.

5. The movie will be released next week.

Exercise 3: Transform the Sentences

1. A delicious meal was cooked by the chef.

2. The car has been repaired by them.

3. The project will be completed by the team by Friday.

4. A letter was being written by her.

5. The house is being cleaned by me.

Exercise 4: Multiple Choice

1. By the time you get here, they will have already left.

2. She was reading a book when I called.

3. We are planning a surprise party for her.

4. The report was submitted on Monday.

5. I have been studying all night.

Exercise 5: Sentence Correction

1. She has been working here for five years.

2. They will finish their project by tomorrow.

3. I went to the store yesterday.

4. The letter was sent last week.

5. He does not understand the instructions.

Takeaways on this Page:

This page provides a comprehensive overview of helping verbs, including their definitions, uses, and examples across various tenses and voices. Helping verbs, or auxiliary verbs, are essential in forming different verb tenses, creating questions, making negatives, and building passive voice constructions. Exercises and examples show how helping verbs function in context, helps students grasp their correct usage. By practising identifying and using these verbs, students can improve their grammar and sentence construction skills, ensuring clarity and precision in their writing and speaking.