Auxiliaries

◊ GRAMMAR

An auxiliary or auxiliary verb is a verb that is used with a main verb to form a verb group. The auxiliaries `be' and `have' are used to form tenses. `Be' is also used to form passive verb groups. The auxiliary `do' is most commonly used in questions and negative clauses.

I am feeling reckless tonight.

They have been looking for you.

Thirteen people were killed.

Did you see him?

I do not remember her.

See entries at ↑ Tenses, ↑ Questions, and ↑ not. See entry at ↑ do for the use of `do' to emphasize or focus on an action.

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You put the auxiliaries you want to use in the following order: `have' (for perfect tenses), `be' (for continuous tenses), `be' (for passive tenses).

Twenty-eight flights have been cancelled.

Three broad strategies are being adopted.

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◊ WARNING

You do not use the auxiliary `do' in combination with other auxiliaries.

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Auxiliaries are often used without a main verb when the verb has already been used.

I didn't want to go but a friend of mine did.

`Have you been there before?' —-`Yes, I have.'

See entries at ↑ Ellipsis and ↑ Replies.

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The different forms of the auxiliaries `be', `have', and `do' are shown in the following table.

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◊ modals

Modals, such as `can', `should', `might', and `may', are also auxiliary verbs. You put them in front of all other auxiliaries.

The law will be changed.

She must have been dozing.

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For more information, see entry at ↑ Modals.

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◊ contractions

For information on the contracted forms of auxiliaries, see entry at ↑ Contractions.

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