LoginAuxiliary Verbs For beginners
Learn about auxiliary verbs, like 'is', 'are', and 'have'. Simple explanations, easy examples, and practice exercises to help you understand.
Be
Be can be both a main verb and auxiliary verb and it is an irregular verb in both roles. As a main verb, 'be' is used to describe the state or condition of a subject. It can show existence and location. As an auxiliary verb, it is used to form continuous tenses and refer to ongoing actions. It has several forms:
You are a lawyer. (main verb)
He is singing. (auxiliary verb)
Subject | Past |
|---|---|
I/He/She/It | was |
We/You/They | were |
He was sad. (main verb)
Be Question Forms
If 'to be' is the main verb of the sentence, it moves to the beginning of the sentence to form a question:
Statement | Question |
|---|---|
I am Adam. | Am I Adam? |
He is a doctor. | Is he a doctor? |
If the sentence has a main verb and 'to be' is the auxiliary verb, it moves to the beginning of the sentence, and then subject + the main verb follow to form the question:
Statement | Question |
|---|---|
We are staying at the hotel. | Are we staying at the hotel? |
He is watching television. | Is he watching television? |
Be Negative Form
To make a negative sentence with 'to be' as the auxiliary verb, just ass 'not' after it.
Statement | Negative | Short Form |
|---|---|---|
I am studying. | I am not studying. | - |
He is running. | He is not running. | He isn't running. |
Do
'Do' as an auxiliary verb helps form questions and negatives in the present simple and simple past tense. It is used with the base form of the main verb.
Subject | Present | Past |
|---|---|---|
I/We/You/They | do/don't | did/didn't |
He/She/It | does/doesn't | did/didn't |
Do you like coffee?
In questions, 'do' is used at the beginning of the sentence and subject and the main verb come after it.
I do not play soccer.
To form negatives, 'not' is added to 'do' and the main verb comes after them.
Have
'Have' as an auxiliary verb is used to form perfect tenses and show that an action is completed.
Subject | Present | Past |
|---|---|---|
I/We/You/They | have/haven't | had/hadn't |
He/She/It | has/hasn't | had/hadn't |
Quiz:
Which option is the correct form of the auxiliary verb "be" in the past tense for the subject "he"?
be
is
were
was
Sort the words to form a question using the auxiliary verb "be":
Which of the following sentences correctly forms a negative with "do"?
He did not went to the store.
I don't likes coffee.
We do not enjoy long walks.
They don't working today.
Match the parts from Column A with the correct ending in Column B.
Complete the sentences with the correct form of the auxiliary verbs "be" or "do".
She
studying in the library right now.
We
going to the party.
you like ice cream?
you see the movie last night?
We
not play tennis on Sundays.
He
not feeling well.
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