Auxiliaries

​USING AUXILIARIES

By Beatriz Maldonado

• I do like this restaurant!

• She does work very hard.

• He did call you yesterday — I heard him!

Pronunciation tip:
The auxiliary is stressed in speech → I DO like it!

Examples:

usually to show strong feelings like surprise, insistence, or contrast.

We usually use do / does / did (and sometimes be or have) to add emphasis to a statement

Use 1 - To add emphasis

I don't eat meat but my family does.

I will stay all night but he won't.

Person A: I wouldn't go there.
Person B: I wouldn't either.

E.g.

We can use auxiliaries to avoid repeating the verb when the meaning is already clear.
This makes the speech more natural and avoids redundancy.

Use 2 - To avoid repetition

Multiple Choice

I haven't been to Germany.

• I have too.

• So have I.

• I haven't either.

• But I do.

Multiple Choice

Are you going to visit us soon?

• Yes, I will.

• Yes, I am.

• Yes, I'm going to visit you.

Multiple Choice

They didn't finish arrive on time.

• Yes, they did.

• Yes, they do.

• Yes, they have.

We can't go tomorrow.

Neither can I.
----------------------------------------------------
I don't have time.

Neither do I.

Neither + aux + Subject

A: I like playing the guitar.

B: So do I.
----------------------------------------------------
A: She studies here.

B: So does my friend.

So + aux + subject

Use 3 - Agreeing and disagreeing politely

• A: I passed my exam!
  B: Did you? That’s great!

• A: She’s moving to Canada.
  B: Is she? Wow!

• A: I can’t drive.
  B: Can’t you? Really?

E.g.

We often use auxiliaries to show interest, surprise, or check information.

(Sounds like= Really? Tell me more!)

Use 4 - Reply questions

A: I went skydiving last weekend.
B: You did?! That’s crazy!

A: I quit my job yesterday!
B: You did? No way!

Subject + auxiliary

You’re not really asking for information — you’re expressing surprise, disbelief, or interest in what was said.

Use 5 - Echo questions

Poll

I can’t cook well.

• Can’t you?

• You can’t?

• Neither can I.

• But I can.

Poll

I really like working from home.

• Do you?

• You do?

• So do I.

• But I don't.

Poll

I never watch horror movies.

• Don't you?

• You don't?

• Neither do I.

• But I do.

Poll

I’m moving to Italy next year.

• Are you?

• You are?

• So am I.

• But I won't.