Auxiliary Verbs: Types, Examples, and Fun Learning Tips

Auxiliary verbs also known as helping verbs, are the special words that make sentences clear and complete. T hese special words work alongside main action verbs to make sure our sentences are complete and clear.

Phrasal Verbs

What is an Auxiliary Verb?

She is running.

• Here, "is" is the auxiliary verb, and it helps form the present continuous tense with the main verb "running."

They have finished the project.

• In this case, "have" is the auxiliary verb, working with the main verb "finished" to form the present perfect tense.

Relative Pronouns

Types of Auxiliary Verbs

• Be (am, is, are, was, were)
• Have (have, has, had)
• Do (do, does, did)

• Can, could
• May, might
• Shall, should
• Will, would
• Must
• Ought to

Gerunds

When to Use Auxiliary Verbs?

Showing Time (Tense)

Examples:

• Past Tense: I was walking to the store. (The action of walking happened in the past.)
• Present Tense: We are playing outside. (The action of playing is happening right now.)
• Future Tense: She will be singing at the concert. (The action of singing will happen in the future.)

Asking Questions

• Are you coming to the party? (The auxiliary verb ‘are’ helps form a question about a future action.)
• Did you finish your homework? (The auxiliary verb ‘did’ helps ask about a completed action in the past.)
• Have they arrived yet? (The auxiliary verb ‘have’ forms a question about a recent action.)

Making Sentences Negative

• She is not going to school. (The auxiliary verb ‘is’ plus ‘not’ shows that she isn’t attending school.)
• They have not eaten breakfast yet. (The auxiliary verb ‘have’ and ‘not’ indicate that breakfast hasn’t happened.)
• I cannot swim. (The modal auxiliary ‘cannot’ shows inability or lack of permission.)

Showing Possibility or Ability (with Modal Verbs)

• I can swim. (The modal auxiliary ‘can’ shows ability – that the person knows how to swim.)
• You must finish your homework. (The modal auxiliary ‘must’ shows necessity or obligation.)
• She may join us later. (The modal auxiliary ‘may’ shows that joining is possible, but not certain.)
• You should try this recipe. (The modal auxiliary ‘should’ suggests advice.)

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Common Auxiliary Verbs with Examples 

Is, Am, Are

Examples

• She is running fast. (Shows what she’s doing currently.)
• I am learning to cook. (Describes an action happening now.)
• They are excited about the game. (Expresses their current feeling.)

Was, Were

Examples

• He was reading a book. (Describes an action he did before.)
• They were playing outside. (Shows what they were doing at an earlier time.)

Have, Has, Had

• I have eaten my lunch. (Indicates that lunch was eaten before now.)
• She had finished her homework before dinner. (Shows the homework was completed before another past event.)

Will

• We will go to the zoo tomorrow. (Shows a planned action in the future.)

Can, Could

• I can ride a bike. (Shows ability.)
• She could read when she was four. (Describes past ability.)

Auxiliary Verbs Practice Questions for Kids

1. She ___ (is/am/are) studying for her test.
2. I ___ (was/were) playing with my friends.
3. They ___ (has/have) gone to the park.
4. You ___ (can/will) finish the race

1. is, was, have, can
2. can, might
3. not, will not

Fun Tips to Remember Auxiliary Verbs