An auxiliary verb usually occours before another verb [see main verb].
Auxiliary verbs "help" other verbs to form verb phrases (for example, is going, would take).
1. Auxiliary verbs in English
There are two main auxiliary verbs in English: primary and modal auxiliary verbs.
1. Primary auxiliary verbs: be, have, do (these can also be main verbs).
2. Modal auxiliary verbs: will/would, can/could, may/might, shall/should, must, ought to*, used to*
3. Others: need can also be a modal auxiliary verb need, needn't ; had better is similar to a modal auxiliary verb, for example, had better come.
2. The forms of auxiliary verbs
2.1. Primary auxiliary verbs
The primary auxiliary verbs have irregular -s forms, past tense forms, and past participle forms. Let's see in the table below.
| auxiliary | -s form | past tense | past participle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Be | is | was / were | been |
| Have | has | had | had |
| Do | does | did | done |
2.2. Modal auxiliary verbs
The modal auxiliaries have no -s form at all, and they also have no participle forms and no intinitive.
Ex: must ~ musts ~ musting ~ to must ~ musted
3. Position
If the auxiliary is the first word of the verb phrase:
(1) To make a negative sentence, add not after the auxiliary, or use a negative contraction.
Ex: Sam will go -> Sam will not / won't go.
(2) To make a question, put the auxiliary before the subject.
Ex: Sam will go -> Will Sam go?
(3) We can omit the main verb after an auxiliary if the meaning is clear from the situation.
Ex:
"Will Sam go tonight?" "No, he can't." (="Sam can't go.")
"I've never been to England. Have you?"
This is the exception to the rule that an auxiliary verb requires a main verb. [See Shortened sentences and clauses]
Ex:
1. I love her. -> I don't love her.
2. Does he love you? -> Yes, he does.
I hope this article helps. If you have any question, please leave a comment below.
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