Auxiliary Verbs
Auxiliary verbs play supportive roles and are combined with main verbs to change their relation to time, auxiliary verbs are also know as helper verbs. With the auxiliary verbs -be and -have we are able to form complex tenses in English such as the continuous tenses, perfect tenses, and the perfect continuous tenses. The auxiliary verb -do is used to form negative statements, questions, and add emphasis in the simple present and simple past tenses. The three main auxiliary verbs are -be, -have, and -do, these verbs can also be used as action verbs. It is important that English students learn to distinguish when an auxiliary verb is being used as an action verb and when it is being used as an auxiliary verb.
Be
The verb -be in English is an irregular linking verb that links subjects to adjectives or other nouns. It is the most used verb in English and also the most complex, the verb -be means to exist. As an auxiliary verb it is used to form the continuous tenses, the perfect continuous tenses, and the passive voice in English. The verb -be unlike all other regular and irregular verbs (excluding modal verbs), does not use the auxiliary verb -do to form negative statements and questions in the simple present and simple past tense with one exception (the verb -do is used to make negative commands with the verb -be in the simple present tense). The verb -be has 3 forms in the present tense -am, -is, and -are, and has 2 forms in the simple past tense -was and -were.
Affirmative Statements
Examples
Ex: I was exhausted after a long day at work.
Ex: She is a paramedic.
Ex: They will be prepared for the test.
Ex: We were surprised the movie was so successful.
Using the verb be with singular nouns as subjects
Third person singular pronouns, singular countable nouns, noncountable nouns, and singular proper nouns use the form -is of the verb -be in the simple present tense and -was in the simple past tense.
Examples
Ex: Gold is a valuable metal. - Noncountable noun
Ex: Stacy was excited about her upcoming birthday. - Singular proper noun
Ex: He was upset about what happened. - Third person singular pronoun
Ex: The computer is damaged. - Singular countable noun
Using the verb be with plural nouns as subjects
Third person plural pronouns, plural countable nouns, and plural proper nouns use the form -are of the verb -be in the simple present tense and -were in the simple past tense.
Examples
Ex: Dogs are loyal animals. - Plural noun
Ex: The Oscars were boring this year. - Plural proper noun
Ex: They are kind people. - Third person plural pronouns
Using the verb be with a combination of nouns as a subject
When we combine two or more nouns (singular or plural) as a subject we use the form -are of the verb -be in the simple present tense and -were in the simple past tense.
Examples
Ex: Walter and Margret are married.
Ex: A man and his children were at a festival.
Be - To link subjects to adjectives and nouns
Because the verb -be is a linking verb, we use the verb -be frequently in English to link subjects to adjectives or nouns. Linking verbs are used to link subjects to adjectives and are generally used to describe subjects as opposed to action verbs which describe the actions subjects take. When we use the verb -be to connect subjects to nouns we can also place adjectives before the nouns to describe them in more detail.
Examples
Ex: I am excited about starting my new job.
Ex: They are grateful for the help people gave them.
Ex: My father was a truck driver before he retired.
Ex: You were kind to her when she was worried.
Ex: She will be occupied all day tomorrow.
Ex: I am a construction worker with 10 years of experience.
Ex: He was a daring pilot before he retired.
Ex: It will be a beautiful day out tomorrow.
Negative Statements
Unlike all other verbs in English (except modal verbs), the verb -be has its own negative statement forms in the simple present and simple past tenses and does not depend on the auxiliary verb -do to form negations with one exception (the verb -do is used to form negative commands with the verb -be in the simple present tense). English students must memorize how to form negative statements with the verb -be. When we use the verb -be in it's negative form we are disassociating the subject with a noun or an adjective.
Examples
Ex: I am not ready to begin college.
Ex: My friends weren't happy with the ending of the movie.
Ex: Chris isn't very generous.
Ex: You're not sure about what you want.
Ex: I won't be upset if they don't show up.
Ex: We aren't professional musicians.
Ex: The judge isn't lenient.
Ex: They will not be present.
Be - Questions
Unlike all other verbs in English (except modal verbs) the verb -be has its own way of forming questions in the simple present and simple past tenses and does not depend on the auxiliary verb -do. English students must memorize how to form questions with the verb -be in both affirmative and negative forms. When we use the verb -be in it's negative form to ask questions it is often to confirm beliefs we have, to express surprise, or to invite agreement. Because the verb be is a linking verb we use it frequently to describe subjects with affirmative statements or to find out information about them with questions. To form questions in the simple present and past tenses with the verb be we must place the verb -be before the subject, the verb -be must agree with the subject. To form questions with the verb -be in the simple future tense we must put the modal verb -will before the subject followed by the verb -be, modal verbs are never conjugated regardless of the subject.
Examples
Ex: Are you a support technician?
Ex: Is Charles angry with you?
Ex: Was she present at your wedding?
Ex: Were they participants in the presentation?
Ex: Will your brother be your best man?
Ex: Are you not tired?
Ex: Wasn't he a pilot before he retired?
Ex: Isn't it too late to go to the store?
Be - As an auxiliary verb
The verb -be is used as and auxiliary verb to form the continuous tenses, the perfect continuous tenses, and the passive voice. Students must be able to differentiate when the verb -be is used as an action verb or as an auxiliary verb.
Continuous tenses
Past continuous tense
Subject + was / were + present participle of a verb
Ex: I was working on my car this past weekend.
Present continuous tense
Subject + am / is / are + present participle of a verb
Ex: My brother is playing video games.
Future continuous tense
Subject + will be + present participle of a verb
Ex: My parents will be staying with friends over the summer.
Perfect continuous tenses
Past perfect continuous tense
Subject + had been + present participle of a verb
Ex: Karen was tired, she had been running all morning.
Present perfect continuous tense
Subject + (have / has) been + present participle of a verb
Ex: He has been working on renovations this week.
Future perfect continuous tense
Subject + will have been + present participle of a verb
Ex: They will have been waiting for 3 hours by 1pm.
Passive voice
Subject + be + past participle of a verb
Examples
Ex: The house was robbed last night.
Ex: They were arrested at the protest.
Ex: George will be told what to do tomorrow.
Ex: The rules have been changed.
Ex: The soldiers were being attacked from all sides.
Be - Using -be at the end of statement to confirm information
The verb -be may be added to the end of a statement made with the verb -be to confirm information, note that affirmative statements use negative questions with the verb -be and negative statements use affirmative questions with the verb -be. This is possible when statements are made with -be as an action verb in the simple present or simple past tense, or as an auxiliary verb in the past continuous tense or present continuous tense but not in the perfect continuous tenses.
Examples
Ex: You aren't doing anything right now, are you?
Ex: She is the manger, isn't she?
Ex: Mark wasn't with them last night, was he?
Ex: They were playing volleyball yesterday, weren't they?
Note: There is no difference in meaning between contractions and alternate contractions.
Note: Negative questions are usually asked with contractions especially in spoken English.
Do
The verb -do means to perform or complete an activity or action. The verb -do is used to form questions and negations with all verbs in the simple and simple past tenses with all verbs except for the verb -be and modal verbs. English students must learn how to use the verb -do correctly as it is one the most important and frequently used verbs in English.
Do - As an action verb
The verb -do when used as an action verb is used frequently with tasks, responsibilities, activities that are repetitive or routine, and obligations.
Examples
Ex: I like to do gardening with my free time.
Ex: My friend does a lot of exercise.
Ex: They did housework over the weekend.
Ex: My children did arts and crafts at school.
Ex: Frank does business in Europe.
Ex: I will do an important assignment at work tomorrow.
Ex: They will do a job for a new client this week.
Ex: Second hand smoke does harm to the lung.
Do - As an auxiliary verb to form negative statements with other verbs
When used as an auxiliary verb, the verb -do is used to form negations will almost all verbs in English (including itself) except for the verb -be and modal verbs in the simple present and past tenses.
Simple present tense
Subject + do not / does not + infinitive form of a verb
Examples
Ex: I do not own a house.
Ex: My friend does not want to go to school today.
Ex: He does not know the answer.
Ex: The car does not have cruise control.
Ex: I do not do laundry on Sundays.
Ex: They do not eat Chinese food.
Simple present tense - Contraction forms
Subject + don't / doesn't + infinitive form of a verb
Examples
Ex: I don't ride horses.
Ex: Most people don't travel often.
Ex: She doesn't work for the government.
Ex: Stacy doesn't like horror movies.
Ex: My neighbors don't want to move.
Ex: Mark doesn't do any gardening.
Simple past tense
Subject + did not + infinitive form of a verb
Examples
Ex: I did not work yesterday.
Ex: Katherine did not buy a new car.
Ex: They did not attend the reunion.
Ex: The computer did not turn on.
Ex: My brother did not feed the cat this morning.
Ex: John did not do his homework.
Simple past tense - Contraction form
Subject + didn't + infinitive form of a verb
Examples
Ex: I didn't have a pen with me.
Ex: She didn't do any exercise last week.
Ex: Mark didn't speak to his boss.
Ex: He didn't watch the newest episode of the series.
Ex: They didn't know where the library was.
Ex: It didn't snow last night.
Do - As an auxiliary verb in affirmative statements
The verb -do may be used as an auxiliary verb in affirmative statements in the simple present and past tenses to emphasize an action or to contrast a previous statement that was made, this is not used often in English.
Simple past tense
Subject + did + infinitive form of a verb
Simple present tense
Subject + do / does + infinitive form of a verb
Examples
Ex: I do care about how people feel.
Ex: John did complete his assignments.
Ex: Mike does make sure to lock the door before he leaves.
Ex: They did help him when he was in trouble.
Do - As an auxiliary verb to form questions with other verbs
When used as an auxiliary verb, the verb -do is used to form questions will almost all verbs in English (including itself) except for the verb -be and modal verbs in the simple present and past tenses. Questions that are formed with negations are mean to express surprise, confirm a belief, or invite agreement.
Simple present tense
Do / Does + subject + infinitive form of a verb
Examples
Ex: Do you have a pen?
Ex: Does your friend do yoga?
Ex: Do they like to go shopping?
Simple present tense - Negative Questions
Do / Does + subject + not + infinitive form of a verb
Don't / Doesn't + subject + infinitive form of a verb
Examples
Ex: Do you not work on Tuesdays?
Ex: Don't you work on Tuesdays?
Ex: Do they not like to go shopping?
Ex: Don't they like to go shopping?
Ex: Does she not eat pizza?
Ex: Doesn't she eat pizza?
Simple past tense:
Did + subject + infinitive form of a verb
Examples
Ex: Did you call a taxi?
Ex: Did Louis do his homework?
Ex: Did they buy a house?
Simple past tense - Negative Questions
Did + subject + not + infinitive form of a verb
Didn't + subject + infinitive form of a verb
Examples
Ex: Did you not speak to your wife today?
Ex: Didn't you speak to your wife today?
Ex: Did Charlie not leave at 5pm?
Ex: Didn't Charlie leave at 5pm?
Ex: Did they not attend the meeting?
Ex: Didn't they attend the meeting?
Do - Negative commands
The verb -do may be used to give negative commands in the simple present tense with all verbs (except modal verbs) in English including the verb -be.
Simple present tense - Negative Commands
Do + not + infinitive form of a verb
Don't + infinitive form of a verb
Examples
Ex: Do not open the window.
Ex: Don't change the subject.
Ex: Do not answer the phone.
Ex: Don't be careless.
Do - Using -do at the end of statement to confirm information
The verb -do may be added to the end of a statement formed with a main verb to confirm information, note that affirmative statements use negative questions with the verb -do and negative statements use affirmative questions with the verb -do. This is possible when statements are made with a main verb in the simple present or simple past tense.
Examples
Ex: You know how to install an operating system, don't you?
Ex: Jennifer went to the service, didn't she?
Ex: John doesn't lie to people, does he?
Ex: You don't work for them, do you?
Note: Negative questions are usually asked with contractions especially in spoken English.
Note: Negative questions are usually asked with contractions especially in spoken English.
Have
The verb -have as an action verb means to own, to possess, or to include . As an auxiliary verb -have is used to form the perfect tenses and the perfect continuous tenses, this verb is also frequently used instead of the modal verb -must with the structure "have to + infinitive" which can be used in the past, present, and future tenses. English students must learn how to use the verb -have effectively to express themselves appropriately.
Have - As an action verb
The verb -have as an action verb means to own, to possess, or to include and is used with nouns.
Examples
Ex: I have a large family.
Ex: My teacher didn't have time today to correct tests.
Ex: My family has a home in the Hamptons.
Ex: She does not have any pets.
Ex: Mark had a BBQ with friends last weekend.
Ex: I will have a lot of work to do on Tuesday.
Ex: Lilian won't have the report ready by the end of the week.
Ex: He doesn't have motorcycle.
Have not / Haven't + noun vs Do not have / Don't have + noun
Standard American English uses the verb -do to form negations with the verb -have, the structure have not / haven't + noun is formal and not typically used in the US.
Examples
Ex: I haven't a computer - Unusual
Ex: I do not have a computer - Typical
Ex: I don't have a computer - Typical
Have - As an auxiliary verb to the perfect and perfect continuous tenses
When used as an auxiliary verb, the verb -have is used to form the perfect and perfect continuous tenses in English. These tenses are more advanced an are necessary to express how an action, state, or event extends over time.
Perfect tenses
Past perfect tense:
Subject + had + past participle of a verb
Ex: The package arrived on time but Shawn had already left.
Present perfect tense:
Subject + have / has + past participle of a verb
Ex: I have written several emails this week.
Future perfect tense:
Subject + will have + past participle of a verb
Ex: I will have spent over 200 hours playing video games by the end of the summer.
Perfect continuous tenses
Past perfect continuous tense:
Subject + had been + present participle of a verb
Ex: The road was slippery, it had been raining.
Present perfect continuous tense:
Subject + (have / has) been + present participle of a verb
Ex: I have been gardening all afternoon.
Future perfect continuous tense:
Subject + will have been + present participle of a verb
Ex: They won't have been training long by them time we get there.
Have - Using -have at the end of statement to confirm information
The verb -have may be added to the end of a statement formed with the auxiliary verb -have to confirm information, note that affirmative statements use negative questions with the verb -have and negative statements use affirmative questions with the verb -have. This is possible when statements are made in the present and past perfect tenses as well as statements made in the present perfect continuous and past perfect continuous tenses.
Examples
Ex: You hadn't sent the email, had you?
Ex: John hasn't talked to you, has he?
Ex: She has been waiting for an hour, hasn't she?
Ex: It had been raining, hadn't it?
