Auxiliary Verbs

By Matthew, 16 September 2008 - 11:50pm
5
 
 
Grammar name (English): 
Auxiliary Verb
Grammar name (日本語): 
助動詞

Auxiliary verbs add meaning to the main verb in a sentence. English uses auxiliary verbs a lot. This page tells how to use auxiliary verbs: can, could, will, would, should, may, might, must, etc.

1. Voice and Aspect 

Auxiliaries are used to make different verb forms for aspect and voice. Sometimes they require that you change the main verb somehow. You might have to use the P.P. form or ad ~ing. In the table below the main verbs are shown in bold red and the auxiliaries in bold: 

Verb Form Auxiliary Example  
Passive

be

get

The new branch was opened in September.

We got given a tour of the gallery.

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Causative

let

allow (to)

have

get (to)

make

force (to)

help (to)

My boss let me go home early today.

Please allow me to introduce myself, I am a man of wealth and fame.

Shall I have them bring you a newspaper, sir?

Yes, get someone to bring me a The Times.

Will you make him apologise?

I can't force him to say sorry.

If you help me to move, I'll buy you dinner.

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Progressive be Ladies and Gentlemen, we are coming in to land.  
Perfect have Have you finished with this? Learn More

2. Adding Meaning 

Much of the meaning added to actions in English is done with verb phrases that work like auxiliaries. We add these verb phrases to the main verb to show a variety of nuances of action. Some examples are shown below with the main verbs in bold red and the auxiliaries in bold: 

Auxiliary Verb Phrase Meaning Example
used to do past habits When I was in univeristy, I used to get up at lunchtime.
get used to doing become accustomed to doing They quickly got used to living in their new home.
be going to do future tense I am going to fly in tomorrow.
have to do obligation You have to be here well in advance.

3. Opinion, Possibility and Necessity 

Modal Auxiliaries show thinking and opinion:

Modal Auxiliary Meaning and Function Example
may
 permission; possibility May I use the telephone?
might
 past of 'may'; conditional I'm afraid, Mr Burns might have already left for the day.
can
 ability; permission; possibility On a clear day you can see for miles!
could
 past of 'can'; permissions; conditional I am sure I could finish if I had more time.
shall
 order; command; intention Where shall we go?
should
 ideal behaviour; a good idea You should probably go to bed earlier.
will
 future When I get back to the office, I will call.
would
 past of 'will'; politeness; conditional When I was younger, we would spend summers at the beach.
must requirement; imperative All passengers must wear a seatbelt.

4. Negatives

Negatives are formed in English by adding not or n't to the auxiliary verb:

We will not watch the game tomorrow because we cannot get time off work.
Shouldn't you leave now if you want to catch the 8.05 to Boston?
I haven't been to the Maldives, but I would love to go.
They might not have any in stock.
The DVD was not returned on time.
You must not enter the site if you are not wearing a hardhat.

5. Questions 

By switching the auxiliary verb and the subject of a sentence, you can make some types of question:

Statement Question
She can come. Can she come?
I would like to see that movie. Would you like to see that movie?
India has been a republic since 1950. How long has India been a republic?
He likes green curry. * Does he like green curry?

* See dummy auxiliaries.

>> Learn more about common question patterns

6. Tag Questions 

Tag questions are used to confirm and check. They are formed by repeating the auxiliary and subject at the end of a sentence:

You have seenGone With the Wind, haven't you?
I can pay by credit card, can't I?
She wouldn't, would she?
You like the beach, don't you? *

* See dummy auxiliaries. 

7. Ellipsis

Ellipsis is when you leave out information. Auxiliary verbs are the key to short, natural expressions where parts of a sentence can be left unsaid. The unsaid parts are shown in orange: 

I didn't stay, but she did. (stay)

Q: Have you visited the museum yet?

A: Yes, I have. (visited the museum)

I would (do what we are talking about), if I could (do what we are talking about).
I used to (do that), but I gave it up.

8. Reactions and Responses

We use auxiliary verbs in reactions and responses, to show interest or emotion, to agree and disagree, and to encourage people to say more. This can similar to ellipsis above: 

A: B:
I can speak seventeen languages. You can't. Really?
I wonder if I should come in early tomorrow. You should.
She is from Australia. I am too.
I have been promoted! Have you?

9. Emphasis 

You can emphasis a sentence by stressing the auxiliary and in a positive sentence you can add "do":

I CAN speak seventeen languages!
You SHOULD be sorry.
He DID call back.*

* See dummy auxiliaries.

Notes: 
  1. Auxiliary verbs are an really important part of English. Much of the meaning that is done by changing verbs (infleciton) in other languages is done with auxiliary verb in English.
  2. It is important to be skilled at identifying and using auxiliary verbs for natural English;
  3. In sentences with no auxiliary verb, the dummy auxiliary DO is used;
  4. Much practice is required to become fast at selecting the correct auxiliary verb, especially for reactions and responses (tag questions and rejoinders);
  5. Verb phrases are included here since they can be thought to act like auxiliaries (used to; be going to).