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 sentence uses "be" as an auxiliary verb?
She is a teacher.
They are playing tennis.
He was tired.
We are friends.
How would you change this statement into a question?
"He is working late tonight."
He working late tonight?
Working he late tonight?
Is working he late tonight?
Is he working late tonight?
Sort the words into the correct order to form a grammatically correct question:
Fill in the blank with the correct auxiliary verb.
She
running in the park.
They
not go to the gym on weekends.
They
not enjoy the movie last night.
you like coffee?
I
studying for the exam right now.
Fill in the blanks in the table with the correct auxiliary verb forms for "be" and "do."
| Subject | Present | Past |
|---|---|---|
I | was | |
He/She/It | ||
We/You/They | are | |
I | do | |
He/She/It | did | |
We/You/They | did |
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