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)

Review - Auxiliary Verbs (Part 1)

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!"

Review - Auxiliary Verbs (Part 2)

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

Review - Auxiliary Verbs (Part 3)

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?"

Review - Auxiliary Verbs (Part 4)

Review - Auxiliary Verbs (Part 4)


Exercise

Open the exercise to begin the activity. Follow the instructions in the document.

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