Helping verbs in English Grammar Lesson with Exercises
Helping verbs
A helping verb, also known as an auxiliary verb, is a verb that is used before the main verb in a verb phrase to express tense, mood, or voice. Helping verbs are used to create verb tense and to show the possibility or necessity of an action.
Types of helping verbs:
- Be verbs: These include "am," "is," "are," "was," "were," "been," and "being." Examples:
- She is singing.
- They were eating.
- Do: This is used to form negative statements and to ask questions. Examples:
- I do not know.
- Do you understand?
- Have: This is used to form perfect tenses. Examples:
- I have eaten.
- She has gone.
Will: This is used to form the future tense. Example: I will go.
Shall: This is used to form the future tense, especially in formal or old-fashioned language. Example: We shall see.
May: This is used to express possibility. Example: She may come.
Might: This is used to express possibility or to make a suggestion. Example: He might be hungry.
Can: This is used to express ability or possibility. Example: I can swim.
Could: This is used to express ability or possibility in the past. Example: He could speak three languages.
Must: This is used to express necessity or obligation. Example: I must go.
Some practical uses of helping verbs:
- To form verb tense: He is studying.
- To express possibility: She may be late.
- To ask a question: Are you coming?
Comprehension exercises Helping verbs:
Choose the correct helping verb to complete the sentence: I _______ finish my homework.
Answer: will
Identify the helping verb in the following sentence: She has been working.
Answer: has
Complete the following sentence with the correct verb: We _______ go.
Answer: shall
Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence: He _______ be hungry.
Answer: might
Rewrite the following sentence using the correct verb tense: She can swim.
Answer: She is able to swim.