Do you feel confused when forming questions in English?

Check out this lesson to learn how to form them with and without the use of auxiliaries:

 

✅ 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.

 

Auxiliary verbs: be (am, are, is, was, were, being), can, could, do (does, did) have (has, had, having), may, might, must, should, will and would. 

 

Below are some common uses for auxiliary verbs:

 

➡ 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.

 

➡  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?” 

 

Let’s practice!

 

Complete the sentences with an auxiliary verb. Sometimes the verb must be negative:

 

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 _____________.

 

6. “Are you and Erica coming to the party?” “I ____________ but Erica ____________.”

 

7. “You never want to go dancing with me.” “Yes, I _____________!”

 

8. “Can you play any instruments?” “No, but I wish I _____________.”

 

9. “Please don’t tell Lucie what I said.” “Don’t worry, I _____________.”

 

10. “Can you help me?” “I’m sorry. I ____________ if I ___________ but I_____________.” 

 

We hope this explanation has been helpful for you. Schedule a lesson today using the code LIMLAUNCH for a 50% discount!