Helping Verbs: Types, Examples, and Uses

Helping Verbs Definition

"Helping verbs, also known as auxiliary verbs, are verbs that precede and modify the main verb in a sentence. They help to express the tense, mood, or voice of the main verb."

Let's break it down with simple helping verbs examples.

Imagine you say, "She is singing." In this sentence, "is" is the helping verb. It helps us understand that singing is happening right now. Without "is," the sentence would just be "She singing," which doesn't sound quite right, does it?

Helping verbs can also tell us about the past or future.

For instance, "They have finished their homework" uses "have" to show that the action of finishing happened before now. And when we say "You will succeed," "will" tells us that success is going to happen later.

Helping Verbs Examples

Here are some helping verbs examples used in sentences:

"She is reading a book."
"They have finished their homework."
"He will come to the party."
"We should go to the park."
"You can do it!"
"I must finish this assignment."

Helping Verbs List

Here is the list that includes common helping verbs used in English grammar.

am
is
are
was
were
be
being
been
have
has
had
do
does
did
can
could
may
might
must
shall
should
will
would
ought to
used to
need
dare

Types of Helping Verbs

Helping verbs, also known as auxiliary verbs, are classified into different types based on their function and usage:

Primary Helping Verbs

Primary helping verbs are essential in forming verb phrases and modifying the main verb to express tense, mood, or voice in a sentence.

They include:

To be: The verb "to be" is versatile and is used in various forms to indicate different tenses and states of being:
- Present tense: am, is, are
- Past tense: was, were
- Continuous tense: being
- Perfect tense: been

To have: The verb "to have" indicates possession or ownership and is also used to form perfect tenses:
- Present tense: have, has
- Past tense: had
- Perfect tense: have, has, had

Expert Tip

When 'have' or 'do' is followed by a verb, they function as helping verbs. If followed by a noun, 'have' and 'do' function as action verbs."

To do: The verb "to do" is used in various ways, including forming questions, negations, and emphasizing actions:
- Present tense: do, does
- Past tense: did

Modal Helping Verbs

Modal auxiliary verbs express possibility, necessity, permission, or ability in combination with the main verb.

They include:

can: indicates ability or possibility
could: indicates past ability or possibility
may: indicates possibility or permission
might: indicates possibility or uncertainty
must: indicates necessity or obligation
shall: indicates future intention or suggestion (often used in formal or legal contexts)
should: indicates advice, expectation, or obligation
will: indicates future intention or prediction
would: indicates hypothetical situations or polite requests

Other Helping Verbs

ought to: Indicates duty, advisability, or expectation.
used to: Indicates past habits or states that are no longer true.
need: Indicates necessity or obligation.
dare: Used in questions and negative statements, indicating challenge or invitation.

Helping Verbs Usage - Rules and Best Practices

Helping verbs, also known as auxiliary verbs, play a crucial role in English grammar. Here are some rules and best practices for using helping verbs effectively in sentences:

Verb Phrases Formation

Helping verbs are used to form verb phrases with main verbs to express various tenses and meanings.

Example: She is running every morning. ("is" is the helping verb, and "running" is the main verb.)

Tense and Aspect

Helping verbs help indicate the tense (present, past, future) and aspect (progressive, perfect) of the main verb.

Example: They have finished their work. ("have" is the helping verb indicating the perfect aspect.)

Question Formation

Helping verbs are used to form questions by inverting the subject and helping verb.

Example: Do you like pizza? ("Do" is the helping verb used to form the question.)

Negation

Helping verbs are used to form negative sentences by adding "not" after the helping verb.

Example: She does not want to go. ("does" is the helping verb indicating negation.)

Modal Verbs for Modality

Modal helping verbs express modality, including possibility, necessity, permission, and ability.

Example: You can swim. ("can" is the modal helping verb indicating ability.)

No Infinitive or -ing Form

Helping verbs do not have infinitive or -ing forms. Only the main verb in the verb phrase has these forms.

Example: He likes to play guitar. ("to play" is the infinitive form of the main verb.)

Emphasis and Intensity

Helping verbs can be used to emphasize or intensify the action of the main verb.

Example: She does love to read. ("does" emphasizes the action of loving.)

Linking Vs Helping Verbs

While both verbs serve crucial roles in sentence structure, understanding the difference between helping and linking verbs is essential as they function differently in conveying meaning.

Aspect	Linking Verbs	Helping Verbs
Function	Connects the subject to a predicate adjective or noun.	Assists main verbs in forming verb phrases to express tense, mood, or voice.
Expression of Action	Does not express action; describes a state of being or condition.	May express action (depending on the main verb) or help form verb tenses.
Examples	am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been, appear, become, feel, look, seem, etc.	am, is, are, was, were, have, has, had, do, does, did, can, could, may, might, etc.
Usage	Links subject to a predicate; indicate a state or condition.	Forms verb phrases; indicates tense, mood, or voice.
No Infinitive Form	Yes	No (except modal verbs like can, may, etc.)

Helping Verb vs. Action Verb

Let’s take a look at the main differences in function, expression of action, examples, usage, and infinitive form between helping verbs and action verbs.

Aspect	Helping Verbs	Action Verbs
Function	Assists main verbs in forming verb phrases to express tense, mood, or voice.	Expresses an action performed by the subject.
Expression of Action	May or may not express action (depending on the main verb).	Always expresses action.
Examples	am, is, are, was, were, have, has, had, do, does, did, can, could, may, might, etc.	run, jump, play, write, eat, sing, etc.
Usage	Forms verb phrases; indicates tense, mood, or voice.	Directly describes an action performed by the subject.
Functionality	Works with main verbs to modify their meaning.	Stands alone to convey a specific action.
No Infinitive Form	No (except modal verbs like can, may, etc.)	Yes

Helping Verbs Worksheet

Identify the helping verbs in each sentence and indicate their function (e.g., tense, mood, voice).

1. She is studying for her exams.

Function:______________________

2. They have completed their assignments.

Function:________________________

3. Do you enjoy reading mystery novels?

Function:_________________________

4. He could have finished the project earlier.

Function:__________________________

5. We are going to visit our grandparents next weekend.

Function:__________________________________

6. She should listen to her parents' advice.

Function:________________________

7. Did you see the new movie yet?

Function:__________________

8. They were watching TV when the power went out.

Function:_________________________________

9. You must finish your homework before you can go out.

Function:____________________________________

10. He might come to the party tonight.

Function:_____________________

Answer Key

1. is

Function: Indicates the progressive aspect (continuous action).

2. have

Function: Indicates the perfect aspect (completed action).

3. Do

Function: Forms a question.

4. could

Function: Indicates possibility.

5. are

Function: Indicates future tense.

6. should

Function: Indicates advisability or recommendation.

7. Did

Function: Forms a question in the past tense.

8. were

Function: Indicates past progressive tense.

9. must

Function: Indicates necessity or obligation.

10. might

Function: Indicates possibility.

In summary, understanding the role and function of helping verbs is crucial for anyone aiming to master English grammar.

By understanding how helping verbs assist main verbs in conveying meaning, you can create more articulate sentences.

Using our grammar checker tool further enhances your ability to refine and perfect your writing, ensuring clarity and correctness in every sentence.

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Continue Learning

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Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

Is "Not" a Helping Verb?

No, "not" is not considered a helping verb. It is an adverb used to negate verbs or modify adjectives and other adverbs.

What is the Difference Between Action, Linking, and Helping Verbs?

Action Verbs: Express physical or mental action (e.g., run, think).
Linking Verbs: Connect the subject to a complement that describes or identifies it (e.g., is, seem).
Helping Verbs: Assist main verbs in forming verb phrases to express tense, mood, or voice (e.g., am, have, will).

Why Are Helping Verbs Important?

Helping verbs are crucial because they:

Aid in expressing various tenses (past, present, future).
Contribute to indicating mood (such as possibility or necessity).
Help clarify the voice (active or passive) of a sentence.

WRITTEN BY

Caleb S. (Mass Literature and Linguistics)

Caleb S. is an accomplished author with over five years of experience and a Master's degree from Oxford University. He excels in various writing forms, including articles, press releases, blog posts, and whitepapers. As a valued author at MyEssayWriter.ai, Caleb assists students and professionals by providing practical tips on research, citation, sentence structure, and style enhancement.

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