Auxiliary Verbs

Auxiliary verbs

By Marío Medina

Auxiliary verbs

​We use auxilary verbs (do, have, etc.) or modal verbs (can, must, etc.):

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To avoid repeating the main verb/main phrase:

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e.g. I like cats, but my husband doesn't like cats.

e.g. Sally's coming tonight, but Angela isn't.​

Grammar bank​

Auxiliary verbs

​With so and neither to say that someone or something is the same.

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Use so + auxiliary + subject with an affirmative verb​

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Use neither (or nor) + auxiliary + subject with a negative verb ​

Grammar bank​

Auxiliary verbs

​A: I loved his latest novel.

B So did I.

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A: I haven't finished yet.

B: Neither have I.​

Grammar bank​

Auxiliary verbs

​To say that someone or something is different.

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A: I don't like shopping online.

B: I do. I buy a lot of my clothes online.​

Grammar bank​

Auxiliary verbs

​To make "reply questions" to show interest or surprise.

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A: I went to a psychic yesterday.​

B: You did?

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A: I'll make the dinner.​

B: You will? That's great!​

Grammar bank​

Auxiliary verbs

​To show emphasis in an affirmative sentence, often when you want to contradict what somebody says.

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With Present/simple Past, we add do/does/did before the main verb.

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With other auxiliaries be, have, will, etc. the auxiliary verb is stressed and not contracted.​

Grammar bank​

Auxiliary verbs

A: ​You didn't lock the door!

B: I did lock it, I know I did.

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A: Silvia isn't coming.

B: She is coming. I spoke to her.​

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Grammar bank​

Auxiliary verbs

To make tag questions, usually to check information. We use an affirmative auxiliary with a negative verb, and a negative auxiliary with an affirmative verb.

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Tag questions​ are often used simply to ask another person to agree with you.

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Grammar bank​

Auxiliary verbs

It's a nice day, isn't it? In this case, tag question is said with falling intonation.​

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Tag questions can also be used to check something you think is true.

She's a painter, isn't she? ​In this case, tag question is said with raising intonation, as in a normal yes/no question.

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Grammar bank​

Multiple Choice

Reply questions are for...

• to show surprise

• To show emphasis in an affirmative sentence

• ​To say that someone or something is different.

Multiple Choice

We use them to avoid repeating the main verb.

• Modal and auxiliary verbs

• tenses and questions

• tag questions

• action verbs

Multiple Choice

We use so and neither to say...

• to check information

• To show emphasis in an affirmative sentence

• ​To say that someone or something is different.

Open Ended

Write the correct tag question. You have a lot of homework...

Open Ended

Write the correct tag question. He didn't go on vacation...

Open Ended

Write the correct tag question. She will travel...

Open Ended

Write the correct tag question. You didn't do your project...