Auxiliary verbs for lower levels

Quite often, during the studying of the grammar tenses, the teachers stress the attention of the students on the use of the auxiliary verbs. On such remarks, the students begin to fish in the ocean of their English knowledge the words like “do”, “does”, “did”, “have”.  Sometimes, those teacher’s remarks and further students’ attempts to find the one auxiliary verb cause confusion. In this article, we will systematize our knowledge of the auxiliary verbs during the formation of the main tenses in English.

The auxiliary verbs have the main function – to help the other verbs. Since they are “helpers”, they should always “hold” the main verbs, which they help during the formation of the different tenses. In English, there are the following auxiliary verbs: “to be”, “to have”, “to do”, “will”. They take part in the creation of all the auxiliary verbs, except the affirmative form of Present and Past Simple (Indefinite). The auxiliary verbs don’t have a separate meaning and express only different grammar meanings, being the indicators of the time, the person, the number, etc. The action itself is expressed with the sense (the main) verbs, in a connection with which they are used. So, let’s view the forms and the conditions of the use of the auxiliary verbs in the different verb tenses.

As it was stated before, the auxiliary verbs (do/ does, did) in Past and Present Simple are necessary for us only in the negative sentences and the questions. Remember that the auxiliary verbs are the indicators of the different tenses, and they help not only the main verbs in the sentence but also you personally to be maximally understandable.

Apart from the Simple tenses, the other tenses also need the auxiliary verbs. Past and Present Continuous require the auxiliary verb “to be” in the corresponding form.

Unlike in the Past and the Present Simple, in the Past and the Present Continuous, the auxiliary verbs are necessary in all the types of sentences – the affirmatives, the negatives, and the interrogatives. Moreover, a combination of the verb “to be” with the verbs with the inflexion -ing indicates the duration of the action. For example: “They are watching TV at the moment”, “I was doing my home task yesterday at 8 p.m.”. If the auxiliary verb is absent, the sentence loses its sense. We won’t understand if it is spoken about the present or the past tense.

When it comes to the auxiliary verb “to have”, we use it in the Perfect tenses. Now, we will discuss the Present Perfect Tense, known to the students from the primary levels of English studying.

Like in the Past and the Present Continuous Tense, in the Present Perfect, the auxiliary verb is necessary in all the types of sentences. Apart from the use of the auxiliary verb “to have”, it should be remembered that in this tense, the third form (Past Participle) of the irregular verbs, or the verb with the inflexion -ed/ -d/ -ied is used. For example: “I haven’t seen this film yet. Has your mother watched it?”

Finally, let’s talk about the formation of the Future Simple tense. In its formation, a major role plays the auxiliary verb “will”, which is combined with the main verb in the first form. For example: “I need to go to the airport. – Oh, I will help you! I think we will come to the airport on time”.

So, the auxiliary verbs play a very important role in the formation of English sentences. If you ignore their use, your language will appear incomprehensible and completely illogical.  That’s why, making any sentence in English, primarily, be sure, what time you should use in this or the other sentence, and then choose the corresponding auxiliary verb.

Here is the useful video about the use of the auxiliary verbs:

Under this link, you will find the exercises.  

Under this link, you will find both the grammar rules and the exercises to train the auxiliary verbs.