Auxiliary Verbs
Spoken Description
Learn about auxiliary verbs: be, have, and do, plus modals like can, could, shall, should, will, would, may, might, must and ought to. Includes formulae, example sentences, and practice exercises.
Estude verbos auxiliares: be, have e do, além de modais como can, could, shall, should, will, would, may, might, must e ought to. Inclui fórmulas, exemplos e exercícios para treinar.
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Auxiliary verbs help shape the meaning of a sentence by adding tense, mood, voice, or emphasis. This guide covers the main auxiliaries and how they work in English.
Overview
Auxiliary verbs include be, have, and do, plus modal auxiliaries like can, will, and must. They support the main verb and sometimes change form to show different kinds of meaning.
Be as an Auxiliary
The auxiliary be is used to form continuous tenses and the passive voice. It agrees in number and tense with the subject and is followed by a participle.
I(be) working right now.
I am working right now.
Use 'be' to form the present continuous: I ___ (be) working right now.
Have as an Auxiliary
The auxiliary have is used to form perfect tenses, showing that an action is completed relative to a time. It is followed by a past participle and agrees with the subject.
They(have) finished their work.
They have finished their work.
Form the present perfect: They ___ (have) finished their work.
Do as an Auxiliary
The auxiliary do is used to form questions, negatives, and for emphasis in the present and past simple. It appears as do, does, or did and is followed by the base form of the main verb.
(do) you like coffee?
Do you like coffee?
Make a question with do: ___ (do) you like coffee?
Modal Auxiliaries
Modal auxiliaries like can, will, must, might, and should express ability, permission, obligation, likelihood, and other attitudes. They are followed by the base form of the verb and do not change form.
Summary
Auxiliary verbs shape tense, mood, and voice by supporting the main verb. Learn the functions of be, have, do, and modals to control meaning and form in English.
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