Scribd
Upload
11 views9 pages

Auxiliary Verbs

Auxiliary verbs, or helping verbs, are used alongside main verbs to modify the tense, mood, or voice of a sentence. They are categorized into three types: principal auxiliaries (to be, to do, to have), modal auxiliaries (can, may, must), and semi-modal auxiliaries (have to, ought to). Each type serves specific functions, such as expressing ability, possibility, necessity, or obligation in various contexts.

Uploaded by

sararaoufi355
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
11 views9 pages

Auxiliary Verbs

Auxiliary verbs, or helping verbs, are used alongside main verbs to modify the tense, mood, or voice of a sentence. They are categorized into three types: principal auxiliaries (to be, to do, to have), modal auxiliaries (can, may, must), and semi-modal auxiliaries (have to, ought to). Each type serves specific functions, such as expressing ability, possibility, necessity, or obligation in various contexts.

Uploaded by

sararaoufi355
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 9

Auxiliary verbs:

An auxiliary verb is a verb that is used as a helping verb along with the main verb in a sentence
to make it more meaningful. It is used to alter the tense, mood or voice of the sentence.

There are three main kinds of auxiliary verbs


(helping verbs):
1.Principle auxiliaries:
Main auxiliaries:
Can be used with other verbs and they function as helping verbs:
To be verbs (am, is, are, was, were, be, been)
: I am repairing the car today.
To do verbs (do, does, did)
: we do not
eat healthy food.
To have verbs (have, has, had)
: we have stayed awake all night.

2.Modal auxiliaries:
Modal auxiliary verbs can be used as helping verbs along with other main verbs to
emphasis on the possibility, ability, necessity or probability of some action taking place.
Have a look at the examples given below to have a clear idea of how it works:
: I can dance with high heels.
: They may come with us.
: She must eat her dinner completely.

3.Semi modal auxiliaries:


Semi modal auxiliaries are group of verbs that have the same function of modal verbs
and emphasis on the possibility, ability, necessity or probability of some action but unlike
the modal verbs can be affected by tense and person.
: ought to, have to, has to, had better, used to, need, dare….
: I am ought to study all night.
: she has to give me the rent in once.

Modal auxiliary verbs:


That are verbs which comes before main verb and
indicates: different event s of ability, possibility, request,
suggestion, ability, advice, obligation, prediction, and so
on.
(can, could, may, might, must, will, would, shall, should)

There are some rules to follow for using the modal auxiliaries:
1. They always come before main verb and main.
2. The modal verb doesn’t change according to tense.
3. Whenever the main verb is used with a modal verb it
should be in its base form (not in past, past participle,
third person singular, or ing form)

Will:
Modal auxiliary verb is a verb which shows:
1. Future action and prediction:
for example:
I will study three chapters of my book today.
They will meet us Friday afternoon.
We will call him later.
2. To make instant decisions:
Will is also used to show decisions that the
speaker makes at the moment of speaking.
For example:
the books are too heavy to carry alone, I will
help you.
Oh no! the chair is broken, we will buy a new
one.
We are out of sugar we will get some from the
groceries.
3. To make promise:
I will get the highest grade and score in my final
exam.
She will buy me a novel book.
We will teach you English for your test.
4. Suggestion or offer:
I will help you to solve your problems.
I will teach you if you want.
I will make you a delicious cake for snack if you
are hungry.

Note: the semi modal for will is (be going to)


which has the same meaning as will
 Be going to is a semi modal auxiliary
 Show a prior plan
I bought some wood because the I am going
to build a book case for my apartment.
She is going to live in France for three years.
They are going to pick up their children
from school

Would: Would you like is a common structure


to ask for:
 Invitation.
For example:
Would you like some tea or coffee?
Would you like to go out or stay home?
would you like some sea food?
 Would rather +base form of the verb
Shows the preference
Would you rather walk or go by car?
Would you rather play soccer or watch it
through T.V?

May/ Might:
May and might express possibility in the
present or future. They have the same
meaning (possibly).
 Shows possibility
: It may rain tomorrow.
: We may see again.
: They might not pass the exam.
: The people may survive the earthquake.
 Permission
: Yes, children, you may have a cookie after
dinner.
: Ok kids, you may play with your toys after
you finished your homework.
 Polite way to ask
: May I ask your age?
: Might I suggest a solution.
Note: there is no big difference between
May and might except may is less common
is American English and might is more
formal in American English.

Can: can and could are modal auxiliary


verbs that shows:
 Ability: Can shows present or future ability
I can speak five alive languages.
We can’t drive on narrow streets.
 Possibility
You can jump from high rock.
You can travel abroad by getting a
scholarship.
 Permission
Can I borrow your pencil?
Can I get out the class?
Can I wear your t shirt just for today?
 Request
We can try the new Korean recipe for the
noodles.
We can watch the new series of harry potter.
They can swim together in the ocean.

Could
 Ability
Shows ability in the past
I could hold my breath for 30 seconds.
I could speak five alive languages.
I could play the guitar when I was younger.
 Possibility
You could jump from the high rock.
You could travel abroad by getting
scholarship.
Must: is typically found in written
instructions or rules. It sounds very strong to
show:
 Recommendation
You must study hard in order to get high
marks.
You must eat your breakfast first then your
tea.
 Prohibition
You must not drink alcohol.
They must not speak loudly in the library.
She mustn’t drive fast.
 Obligation
You must wear a suit and a tie in the office.
They must be at work on time.
He must cut his hair for military.
 Certainty
It must be very hard to run 5 miles per day.
They must be very tired after finishing the
whole exam.
Should: we use should for things we believe
in that are good or bad. It is the same as
must but is a little bit softer.
 Advice
You should go home and take a nap.
My clothes are dirty I should wash them.
 Obligation
You shouldn’t eat fast.
We shouldn’t drive carelessly.
Note: ought to is a semi modal verb which
has the same meaning as should. It is more
formal but not used frequently (should is
more common).

Have to/have got to


Basically they have the same meaning as
must. They express the idea that something
is necessary.
 have to is more frequently used in every day
speech and writing.
 Have got to is used in informal conversation.
 Must is typically used in instructions and
rules.
 The past form of have to, has to, have got to,
and must is (had to)
 Must is a modal verb but the others are semi
modal auxiliary verb

You might also like