The three auxiliary verbs in English are be, do, and have.
Be
Be is used with a verb~ing to make continuous forms. All continuous sentences need the auxiliary verb, be.
- The man is educating us with his experience and wisdom. (present continuous)
- She was relying too much on her parents' money when she started university. (past continuous)
- I have been saving my photos in this album. (present perfect continuous)
- He will be contributing by helping to make dinner. (future continuous)
- The lights are off in their house. They must be sleeping. (infinitive continuous)
Be is also used with past participles to make passive sentences.
- She is being educated by a wonderful teacher. (present continuous passive)
- The body was preserved by special medical techniques. (past simple passive)
- The house has been destroyed. (present perfect passive)
- My car will be repaired this weekend. (future passive)
- Your homework needs to be done before class. (infinitive passive)
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Review - Auxiliary Verbs (Part 1)
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Review - Auxiliary Verbs (Part 1)
Do
Do, does, or did are used in the present or past simple tenses. Generally, they are used mainly in questions and negative sentences.
- Where did you grow up? (question)
- They don't do that in my country.(negative)
- Does he understand? (question)
- She didn't come to school yesterday. (negative)
Do, does, or did are also used to express emphasis.
- I usually don't care much about celebrities, but I do follow Brad Pitt.
- She said I didn't eat breakfast, but I did eat breakfast.
- "Why didn't you come to school yesterday?" "I did come to school!"
- "I thought he didn't eat meat." "He does eat meat!"
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Review - Auxiliary Verbs (Part 2)
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Review - Auxiliary Verbs (Part 2)
Have
Have is used with past participles to make perfect verb forms.
- I haven't seen that film yet. (present perfect simple)
- She hadn't woken up when I called. (past perfect simple)
- When you get home, I will have already cooked dinner. (future perfect simple)
Have or have got can be used for present possession or obligation. Notice the differences:
- Do you have a car? Yes, I do. or No, I don't.
- Have you got a car? Yes, I have. or No, I haven't.
- Does he have to leave? Yes, he does. or No, he doesn't.
- Has he got to leave? Yes, he has. or No, he hasn't.
- Doesn't she have a brother? Yes, she does. or No, she doesn't.
- Hasn't she got a brother? Yes, she has. or No, she hasn't.
These are both possible only in the present tenses. For other tenses, only use have for possession or obligation.
- I had a dog when I was young. (past possession)
- She will have a job next year. (future possession)
- We have had this teacher for a long time. (present perfect possession)
- They would like to have a vacation home for when they are retired. (infinitive possession)
- You had to be here early. (past obligation)
- They will have to study harder. (future obligation)
- I have had to take the bus to school in the last two months. (present perfect obligation)
Have is used instead of have got in many phrases and expressions.
- have breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc.
- have a great / terrible time
- have a shower / bath
- have fun
- have a party
- have a word with you
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Review - Auxiliary Verbs (Part 3)
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Review - Auxiliary Verbs (Part 3)
Other uses of auxiliary verbs in English:
Question Tags
- It's hot, isn't it?
- You like hot chocolate, don't you?
- He came yesterday, didn't he?
- You won't do that, will you?
- You've been here a long time, haven't you?
- We aren't studying reading today, are we?
Short Answers
- "Are you from Japan?" "Yes, I am."
- "Did they have a good time?" "Yes, they did."
- "Have you been here long?" "No, I haven't."
- "Does she understand?" "No, she doesn't."
Reply Questions
- "I have a very large family." "You do?" or "Do you?"
- "She doesn't have to worry about money." "She doesn't?" or "Doesn't she?"
- "He didn't eat dinner last night." "He didn't?" or "Didn't he?"
- "They won't be here next week." "They won't?" or "Won't they?"
- "I have been in Canada for one year." "You have?" or "Have you?"
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Review - Auxiliary Verbs (Part 4)
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Review - Auxiliary Verbs (Part 4)
Exercise
Open the exercise to begin the activity. Follow the instructions in the document.