What Are Auxiliary (Helping) Verbs in English?
Many learners struggle with auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs. But don’t worry — once you understand what they do, they’re actually quite simple!
In this short lesson, we’ll explain what auxiliary verbs are, why they’re important, and the two main types you need to know.
🧠 What Are Auxiliary Verbs?
Auxiliary verbs are also called helping verbs.
They help the main verb in a sentence and add meaning.
Without a helping verb, the main verb may feel incomplete.
✅ Example:
I am going to work.
(“am” is helping the main verb “going”)
📚 Why Do We Use Helping Verbs?
- Show tense
- Form questions
- Make negatives
- Add meaning or tone (like certainty, possibility, or obligation)
🧩 Two Types of Helping Verbs
1. Primary Helping Verbs
These include forms of:
- Be: is, am, are, was, were
- Do: do, does, did
- Have: have, has, had
✅ Example:
She is studying for her exam.
We have finished our work.
2. Modal Helping Verbs
These verbs express possibility, necessity, or ability:
can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must
✅ Example:
He should go now.
You can do it!
🎬 Watch the Video Lesson
This blog post is based on a short video from our teacher. Watch it here to reinforce what you’ve learned!
📺 https://www.tiktok.com/@eazi_english/video/7528382125121391880
💬 Want to Practice with a Teacher?
Do you still have questions about helping verbs?
Want to practice speaking and using them in conversation?
👉 Message us on WhatsApp to book a class, starting from just AED 30 per class!
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