Helping (Auxiliary) Verbs.
Definition. Examples. Quiz: Identify helping verbs

Helping(Auxiliary) Verbs

A Verb Phrase consists of a main (non-auxiliary) verb and can have up to three helping (auxiliary) verbs. The main verb is always the last verb in the phrase.

A Main Verb expresses the main action or state of being in the sentence.

  • I drive my car every day.
  • English verbs are simple.

A Helping Verb is used with main verb to express tenses, aspect, modality, emphasis, etc. or to form a negative or question.

In all following examples below, the main verbs are underlined and the helping verbs are shown in color

  • He is learning Spanish Grammar.
  • Peter would try that.
  • I should have known the answer to that question.
  • Steve will have been studying English for more than a year by the time he leaves for US.
  • Does Nancy visit her brother?
  • They couldn’t write very well.
  • He will not take this job.

List of Auxiliary Verbs

  • Be - am, are, is, was, were, be, being, been
  • Do - do, does, did
  • Have - have, has, had, having
  • Modal Verbs - shall, will, may, must, might, can, could, would, should

Note that the verbs to be, to do and to have can be main and helping verb in the same sentence.

Verb To Have examples

  • I have a car.
    - have here acts as the main verb
  • I have bought a car.
    - have here acts as a helping verb
  • I have had a wonderful time driving this car.
    - have - helping verb, had – main verb

Verb To Do examples

  • Peter does homework every day.
    - does here acts as the main verb
  • Peter did not finish his homework.
    - did here acts as a helping verb
  • Peter did not do his homework.
    - did - helping verb, do – main verb
  • Peter did do his homework.
    - did - helping verb (used to add emphasis here), do – main verb

Verb To Be examples

  • I am late.
    - am here as the main verb
  • I am driving a car.
    - am here as a helping verb
  • I am being late again.
    - am - helping verb, being – main verb

Helpful hints to remember when identifying helping verbs

In questions, the subject is often placed between the helping verb and the main verb.
  • Peter is driving a car.
  • Is Peter driving a car?
Look for contractions such as haven't, don't, doesn't, etc. and remember that not is not a helping verb.
  • Peter did not finish his homework.
  • Peter didn't finish his homework.
Sometimes other words may be placed between helping verbs or separate the helping verb and the main verb.
  • I will soon be visiting my parents.
  • I would have certainly done it.

Other Types of Verbs

For additional examples please refer to What is a Verb?
http://www.esldesk.com/grammar/verbs

For more practice go to Grammar Quizzes