An auxiliary verb is also called a “helping verb” that helps the main verb in different aspects of tenses, voices, and moods by being placed before them. It is a verb that adds context and functionality to clauses and sentences. Helping verbs are an important element of speech and writing, and in English grammar, they often work in concert with the main verb to form a complete verb phrase.

Types Of Auxiliary Verbs

There are two types of auxiliary verbs. They are:

1. Primary Auxiliary verbs

2. Modal  Auxiliary verbs

Primary Auxiliary Verbs

Primary auxiliary verbs include “be,” “do,” and “have,” and they can be linked to form different tenses, voices, and moods. These verbs can also function as action verbs. The most commonly used primary auxiliary verbs in a sentence are, have, and do.

Functions Of Primary Auxiliary Verbs

• The primary auxiliary verb has no meaning of its own. It helps the main verb to form tense.
• Helps to form interrogative sentences.
• Helps to form negative sentences.
• Helps to form sentences of Passive voice
• These verbs can also be used as the main verb itself, if necessary.

Examples of each of these auxiliary verbs include:

• To Be: am, is, are, was, were, being, been, will be.
• To Have: has, have, had, having, will have.
• To Do: does, do, did, will do.

 

Uses Of Primary Auxiliary Verbs

Let’s see some examples of primary auxiliary verbs and how they are used in progressive sentences, passive sentences, and perfect sentences.

Examples of Be auxiliary verbs:

• She is playing Football
• I am going to bath

Above given are progressive sentences. Now let’s see how they are used in a passive sentence.

• She was playing Football
• I was going to bath

Examples for Have auxiliary verbs:

• I have been walking to market
• we have ate a lot of ice cream today
• They had been the best moments

Examples for Do auxiliary verbs:

Auxiliary verbs can be used to make questions and negative statements.

a: Used in negative sentences.

• She doesn’t agree with me.
• They do their homework.

b: Used in questions

• Do we need to keep going left?
• Did he finish his homework?

 

Modal Auxiliary Verbs

These types of verbs are used to show necessity, capability, willingness, or possibility in a sentence. Unlike most verbs, there is only one form of these verbs. Typically, verb forms change to indicate whether the sentence’s structure is singular or plural.

Modal auxiliary verbs include “can,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “shall,” “might,” “may,” “must,” “will,” “need,” “dare,” and the phrases “ought to” and “used to.” we cannot conjugate these kinds of verbs. Since modal auxiliary verbs do not have a past tense form, we can use the modal auxiliary along with the word ‘have’ and a past participle. past participles typically end in -d, -ed, -n, or -en, creating the past tense ‘wished, looked, taken,’ and so on.

Examples:

• We must fight to preserve what remains. ( must express the necessity)
• You could drive all night and be there by morning (could express ability)
• She will sing loud for the audience.(will express willingness)
• I could watch the whole series during free time.(could express possibility)

Different Types Of Modal Auxiliary Verbs With Examples:

There are five main types of modal verbs depending upon the meaning they express

1. Modals denoting ability: can and could.

eg:

• You could drive all night and be there by morning
• You can use all my stuff

2. Modals expressing permission: can and may.

eg:

•  May I open the door?
• Can I use your pen?

3. Modals expressing likelihood: will, might, may, can, and could.

eg:

• It may rain today.
• She might have gone.

4. Modals denoting obligation: must and have to.

eg:

• You must clean your plate before you have dessert.
• I have to do my homework

5. Modals expressing giving advice: should.

eg:

• You should try some of this spaghetti

 

How To Use Modal Auxiliary Verbs

Model verbs are very difficult to remember, but by continuous practice you can use it properly in a sentence. There are four fundamental rules to use modal verbs in a sentence.

• Modal verbs always come first in a verb phrase.
• Modal verbs are followed by bare infinitives.
• You can’t add “-s”, “-ed”, or “-ing” to models.
• Modal verbs form they are negative and interrogative like other auxiliaries.