Auxiliary verbs: Definition, usage and examples.

What Is an Auxiliary Verb?

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.

Definition of an Auxiliary Verb

An auxiliary verb is “a verb such as be, do, and have used with main verbs to
show tense, etc. and to form questions, and negatives”, according to the Oxford
Learners’ Dictionary.

The Macmillan Dictionary defines auxiliary verbs as “the verbs ‘be’, ‘do’, and
‘have’ in English, when they are used with another verb to form tenses,
questions, question tags, and the passive. For example, in the sentences ‘I am
listening’, ‘Are you working?’, ‘You don’t like her, do you?’ and ‘The bill has
been paid’, ‘am’, ‘are’, ‘do’, and ‘has been’ are all auxiliaries.”

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, an auxiliary verb is “a verb that is used

with another verb to form tenses, negatives, and questions. In English, the
auxiliary verbs are ‘be’, ‘have’, and ‘do’.”

Examples of Auxiliary Verbs

Here is a list of auxiliary verbs that you can use along with the other main verbs
to perform the different functions of an auxiliary.

Am
Is
Are
Was
Were
Have
Has
Had
WIll
Would
May
Might
Can
Could
Shall
Should
Must
Ought to
Need
Do
Did

How to Use Auxiliary Verbs?

Auxiliary verbs can be used to perform different functions in a sentence or a
context. Auxiliary verbs act as helping verbs to alter the tense, voice and mood
of a sentence. Let us look at how these verbs act to fulfil each of these
characteristics.

Auxiliary Verbs Used to Alter the Tense of the Sentence

There are particularly a few auxiliary verbs that can be used to change the
tense of the action being performed by the subject (noun or pronoun) in a
context. All ‘to be’ forms of verbs, all forms of ‘have’, and forms of ‘will’ are used
to denote different tenses.

Points to Remember
When using the forms of ‘to be’, make sure you use the gerund (verb+ing) form
of the main verb as they are used to indicate continuous action.
When using forms of ‘have’, see to it that you use the past participle forms of
the main verbs along with the different forms of ‘have’. There is one other thing
that you should keep in mind. When the auxiliary verbs ‘have’ and ‘been’ are
used together to represent the perfect continuous tense, see to it that you use
the gerund (verb+ing) form of the main verb in that particular sentence.
When using the auxiliary verb ‘will’ to denote the simple future tense, see to it
that you use the root verb as such along with ‘will’ and a gerund (verb+ing)
along with ‘will be’ to indicate the future continuous tense. Make sure you
employ the past participle form of the main verb when it is used to indicate the
future perfect tense along with the auxiliary verbs, ‘will’ and ‘have’.
Let us look at the following examples to learn how to use them in sentences
effectively.
Here table

Auxiliary Verbs used to Alter the Voice of the Verb

All forms of ‘to be’, ‘have’ and ‘will’ can be used as auxiliary verbs to represent
the voice of the verb in a sentence. Let us look at some examples of how these
auxiliary verbs can be used.

Here table two

Auxiliary Verbs used to Express the Mood

The verb forms of the auxiliary verb ‘do’ are used to express the mood of a
sentence. It is mostly used in imperative and interrogative sentences. Let us
look at some examples.

Do your children enjoy watching educational films?

Did she complete the work that was assigned to her?
Do not forget to bring the Bluetooth speaker when you come home tonight.
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Modal auxiliary verbs can be used as helping verbs along with other main verbs
to emphasise 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.

Here table three

Test Your Knowledge on Auxiliary Verbs and Their Usage

Try out the following practice exercise to find out how far you have understood
the usage of auxiliary verbs in sentences.

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate auxiliary verb:

1. Leena ______ eating an apple.

2. _____ you finish the work I _____ given you yesterday?

3. _________ you please pass the logbook?

4. You _________ follow the rules.

5. Your phone ___________ damaged.

6. I am sorry, I ________ make it to your wedding.

7. Derrick __________ submitted all the documents for verification last week.

8. The Queen’s jewellery ______ stolen from the museum.

9. Peter ______ asked to host the ceremony by his uncle.

10. Sam and Joe ______ attending the event.

Ready to find out if you got it all right? Check your answers.

1. Leena is/was eating an apple.

2. Did you finish the work I had given you yesterday?

3. Could/Can you please pass the logbook?

4. You should/ought to follow the rules.

5. Your phone should be damaged.

6. I am sorry, I cannot make it to your wedding.

7. Derrick had submitted all the documents for verification last week.

8. The Queen’s jewellery was/had been stolen from the museum.

9. Peter was asked to host the ceremony by his uncle.

10. Sam and Joe will be attending the event.

Frequently Asked Questions on Auxiliary Verbs in English
What is an auxiliary verb?
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.

What is the definition of an auxiliary verb?

An auxiliary verb is “a verb such as be, do, and have used with main verbs to
show tense, etc. and to form questions, and negatives”, according to the Oxford
Learners’ Dictionary.
The Macmillan Dictionary defines auxiliary verbs as “the verbs ‘be’, ‘do’, and
‘have’ in English, when they are used with another verb to form tenses,
questions, question tags, and the passive. For example, in the sentences ‘I am
listening’, ‘Are you working?’, ‘You don’t like her, do you?’ and ‘The bill has
been paid’, ‘am’, ‘are’, ‘do’, and ‘has been’ are all auxiliaries.”
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, an auxiliary verb is “a verb that is used
with another verb to form tenses, negatives, and questions. In English, the
auxiliary verbs are ‘be’, ‘have’, and ‘do’.”

Give some examples of auxiliary verbs.

Am, is, are, was, were, will, have, has, had, may, might, can, could, shall,
should, must, ought to, would, etc., are some examples of auxiliary verbs.

How can I use auxiliary verbs to express the tense in a sentence?

Given below are some points you have to keep in mind when using auxiliary
verbs to express the tense in a sentence.

When using the forms of ‘to be’, make sure you use the gerund (verb+ing) form
of the main verb as they are used to indicate continuous action.
When using forms of ‘have’, see to it that you use the past participle forms of
the main verbs along with the different forms of ‘have’. There is one other thing
that you should keep in mind. When the auxiliary verbs ‘have’ and ‘been’ are
used together to represent the perfect continuous tense, see to it that you use
the gerund (verb+ing) form of the main verb in that particular sentence.
When using the auxiliary verb ‘will’ to denote the simple future tense, see to it
that you use the root verb as such along with ‘will’ and a gerund (verb+ing)
along with ‘will be’ to indicate the future continuous tense. Make sure you
employ the past participle form of the main verb when it is used to indicate the
future perfect tense along with the auxiliary verbs, ‘will’ and ‘have’.

Give some examples of how auxiliary verbs are used to express the voice of the
verb in a sentence.
Here are some examples of how auxiliary verbs are used to express the voice
of the verb in a sentence.

Any sort of amendments to the bill was refused by the judge.

The bus will be boarded by me at 8:30 p.m. tonight.
The solution to the problem will have been delivered by the authorities, this time
tomorrow.
Chocolates are liked by most children.
He has been checked by the doctor.
Fonte: https://byjus.com/english/auxiliary-verbs/#modal-auxiliary-verbs