Helping verbs, also known as auxiliary verbs, are verbs that are used in combination with another verb to express a particular grammatical function or meaning. They “help” the main verb in a sentence by adding information about tense, aspect, or mood. In essence, they add extra detail to the main verb and provide context about the action or state being described.
Primary auxiliary verbs
One important category of auxiliary verbs is primary auxiliary verbs, which include “be,” “do,” and “have.” These verbs are used in a variety of ways to modify the meaning of the main verb.
Verb “be”
The verb “be” is often used to form continuous tenses, which describe ongoing or continuous actions.
For example:
- “She is running” describes an action that is currently happening.
- The past continuous tense can also be formed using “be,” as in “They were walking to the store.”
Verb “do”
“Do” is used as an auxiliary verb to form negative sentences, questions, and emphasis. In a negative sentence, “do” is used to negate the main verb.
For example:
- “I do not like broccoli” is a negative sentence in which “do” is used to negate the verb “like.”
- In questions, “do” is used to invert the sentence structure, as in “Do you want to go for a walk?”
- Finally, “do” can be used for emphasis, as in “I do like pizza” to emphasize that one does in fact enjoy pizza.
Verb “have”
“Have” is used to form perfect tenses, which describe actions that have been completed.
For example:
- “I have seen that movie before” indicates that the speaker has completed the action of watching the movie at least once in the past.
- “Have” can also be used to describe past events that happened before another past event, as in “She had already finished her homework before her friends arrived.”
Modal auxiliary verbs
Modal auxiliary verbs, such as “can,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “shall,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “must,” and “ought to,” are also important helping verbs that express modality or the speaker’s attitude towards the action or state being described. Modal verbs can be used to express possibility, ability, permission, or obligation, among other meanings. For example, “You should study for the exam” expresses an obligation or recommendation, while “I might go to the party” expresses a possibility.
Overall, helping verbs are an important aspect of English grammar because they allow us to express complex meanings and convey additional information about the action or state being described. Understanding the different types of helping verbs and how they relate to the main verb is essential for effective communication in English.