Today's lesson will help you answer questions in English with confidence.
Auxiliary verbs: notice how there are two verbs in each of the following sentences:
- I have lost my car keys.
- James can’t come to dinner tonight.
- My house was built thirty years ago.
- Where do you live?
In these examples, the first verbs in each sentence (have, can’t, was, do) are auxiliary verbs. Auxiliary verbs are considered helping verbs.
Examples:
Be (am, are, is, was, were, being), can, could, do (does, did) have (has, had, having), may, might, must, should, will, would.
Below are some common uses for auxiliary verbs:
✅ Use 1:
We use an auxiliary verb without the rest of the sentence when we don’t want to repeat something:
- He could lend me his computer but he won’t. = He won’t lend me his computer.
- “Did you lock the door?”
“Yes, I did.” = Yes, I have locked the door.
- “Are you mad at me?”
“No, I’m not.” = No, I am not mad at you.
- Janet wasn’t studying but Bill was. = Bill was studying.
We use do, does, and did for the present simple and past simple:
- “Do you like mushrooms?”
“Yes, I do.” = Yes, I like mushrooms.
- “Does your daughter like scary movies?”
“She did but she doesn’t anymore.” = She liked scary movies but she doesn’t like them anymore.
- “Did you enjoy dinner?”
“Yes, I did.” = Yes, I enjoyed dinner.
✅ Use 2:
We use have you?, isn’t he?, do they?, etc. to show polite interest in what somebody has said:
- “I’ve just come from Frank’s place.”
“Oh have you? How is he?”
- “It was beautiful every day of our trip.”
“Was it? That’s great.”
- “Julie isn’t feeling very well today.”
“Oh, isn’t she? What’s wrong with her?”
We can also use these short questions of auxiliary phrases to show surprise:
- “Diane and Joe are getting married!”
“Are they? Really?”
✅ Use 3:
After some verbs we use so when we don’t want to repeat something. Below are some examples as well as their negative forms:
- “Are those people British?”
“I think so.” / “I don’t think so.” = I think they are British.
- “Can you watch my dog this weekend?”
“I suppose so.” “I don’t suppose so.” / “I suppose not.” = I suppose I can watch your dog.
- “Will you be home for dinner tonight?”
“I expect so.” / “I don’t expect so.” = I expect I’ll be home for dinner.
- “Will Jake be on time tomorrow?”
“I hope so.” “I hope not.” = I hope Jake will be on time.
- “Will it be cold tomorrow?”
“I’m afraid so.” / “I’m afraid not.”= I’m afraid it will be cold.
- “Is it okay if I’m late for work tomorrow?”
“I guess so.” / “I guess not.” = I guess it’s okay if you’re late.
Let’s practice!
Complete the sentences with an auxiliary verb. Sometimes the verb must be negative.
(Write the answers in the comments section)
1. He might call me later this evening but I don’t think he _____________.
2. I like warm weather but Liz _____________.
3. “Is James here?” “He _____________ ten minutes ago but I think he’s gone home now.”
4. I don’t know whether to apply to this course or not. Do you think I _____________?
5. I wasn’t tired but my friends _____________.
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