All About Auxiliary Verb

Auxiliary Verb

Auxiliary literally means giving help, So an auxiliary verb is one that helps the main verb form in tenses, moods, voices etc. The following verbs are auxiliaries: is, are, am, was, were, be, can, could, dare, do, does, did, have, has, had, may, might, must, need, ought, shall, should, will, would, used to.

1. May implies permission, doubt or possibility.

Ex. May I come in? (permission)

It may rain tonight. (possibility)

2. Might is the past form of “may” and it implies more doubt than “may”.

Ex. If the clouds are salted, the rains might come.

3. Can is used to express ability.

Ex. He can do the work.

4. Could is the past form of can but it does not necessarily represent past time. Often it implies a more uncertain condition.

Ex. He could refuse, but she never does.

5. Should expresses the idea that something must be done or is important.

Should and ought to have similar meanings, but ought is followed by “to” “Ought to” has a more objective force and is used when we are talking about laws, duties and regulations.

Ex. We ought to see her tomorrow.

6. Must is used to give strong advice or orders.

Ex. He really must stop drinking.

7. Do is used to make question and negative forms of ordinary verbs.

Ex. Do you know him?

I don’t like swimming.

“Do” is always used in question-tags.

Ex. You know painting, do you?