Helping Verbs, List of Helping Verbs, Definition and Example
Definition of Helping verbs:
Helping verbs, also known as auxiliary verbs, are verbs that assist the main verb in a sentence by adding information about tense, mood, or voice. They work together with the main verb to form verb phrases that convey various meanings and nuances in a sentence.
List of Helping Verbs:
Be: am, is, are, was, were, been, being
The usage of "be" form verbs with clear rules and examples to help you use them confidently in your writing and speech.
Understanding "Be" Form Verbs:
"Be" form verbs include am, is, are, was, were, be, being, and been. These verbs play various roles in English grammar, including forming continuous tenses, passive voice, and expressing states of being or existence.Continuous Tenses:
"Be" form verbs are crucial for forming continuous tenses, indicating actions that are ongoing or in progress. Examples include:Present Continuous: She is studying for her exam.
Past Continuous: They were playing football when it started raining.
Passive Voice:
In passive voice constructions, "be" form verbs are used to indicate that the subject receives the action. Examples include:The cake was baked by Mary.
The report will be submitted by the deadline.
Auxiliary Verbs:
"Be" form verbs serve as auxiliary verbs to form progressive tenses and passive voice. Examples include:She is writing a novel.
The room is being decorated for the party.
Gerunds and Infinitives:
"Be" form verbs are used before gerunds (-ing form) and infinitives to indicate continuous or future actions. Examples include:He enjoys being outdoors.
She hopes to be promoted next year.
State of Being:
"Be" form verbs express a state of being or existence. Examples include:They were happy with the outcome.
I am grateful for your help.
Subjunctive Mood:
In the subjunctive mood, "be" form verbs express wishes, suggestions, or possibilities. Examples include:It is crucial that he be present at the meeting.
I suggested that she be more considerate.
Practical Usage:
We encounter "be" form verbs in various contexts, including conditional sentences, commands, causative constructions, and more. Understanding these contexts enhances your ability to communicate effectively in English.Have: has, have, had
Possession:
"Have" form verbs indicate possession or ownership of something. Examples include:I have a car.
She has two brothers.
They had a lovely house.
Actions and Experiences:
"Have" form verbs can express actions or experiences. Examples include:I have breakfast at 7 AM.
She has a headache.
They had a great time at the party.
Auxiliary Verb for Perfect Tenses:
"Have" form verbs are used as auxiliary verbs to form the perfect tenses (present perfect, past perfect, future perfect). Examples include:Present Perfect: They have finished their homework.
Past Perfect: She had already left when I arrived.
Future Perfect: By next year, they will have completed their project.
Causative Meanings:
"Have" form verbs can express causative meanings, indicating someone causing something to happen. Examples include:She had her hair cut.
He has his car serviced regularly.
They will have their house painted next month.
Expressions and Idioms:
"Have" form verbs are used in various expressions and idioms. Examples include:I have to go now. (expressing obligation)
She had better study hard. (expressing advice or warning)
They have a knack for languages. (idiomatic expression)
Phrasal Verbs:
"Have" form verbs are part of many phrasal verbs, indicating different meanings. Examples include:She has to put up with his behavior. (tolerate)
They had to give up smoking. (quit)
I have to figure out the solution. (understand)
Request or Permission:
"Have" form verbs can be used to make requests or seek permission. Examples include:Can I have a glass of water, please?
May I have your attention, please?
Expressions of Time:
"Have" form verbs are used in expressions of time, such as:I have lunch at noon.
She has a meeting in the afternoon.
They had dinner at a fancy restaurant last night.
Do: do, does, did
Example: He did his chores yesterday.
Will: will
Example: She will go to the party tomorrow.
Shall: shall
Example: We shall meet at the park.
May: may
Example: You may leave early today.
Might: might
Example: It might rain later.
Can: can
Example: He can swim very well.
Could: could
Would: would
Example: They would like to visit the museum.
Should: should
Example: Students should study regularly.
Must: must
Example: You must finish your assignment by tomorrow.
Ought: ought
Example: We ought to help our neighbors.
Definition and Example:
Be (am, is, are, was, were, been, being):
Definition: Used to indicate a state of being, existence, or identity.
Example: She is reading a book.
Have (has, have, had):
Definition: Used to indicate possession or ownership, or to form perfect tenses.
Example: They have a beautiful garden.
Do (do, does, did):
Definition: Used to form questions, negatives, or emphatic statements.
Example: He did his best in the competition.
Will:
Definition: Used to indicate future tense or to express willingness or determination.
Example: She will visit her grandmother tomorrow.
Shall:
Definition: Used to express future tense, suggestions, or offers.
Example: We shall leave for the picnic early in the morning.
These examples illustrate how helping verbs work in conjunction with main verbs to convey different meanings and nuances in sentences.
Easy Level Exercises:
1. Choose the correct helping verb to complete the sentence:
"She ___ going to the party tonight."
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) will
2. Select the appropriate helping verb for the sentence:
"They ___ happy to see you."
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) will
3. Fill in the blank with the correct helping verb:
"He ___ eating his breakfast."
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) have
4. Choose the correct helping verb to complete the sentence:
"We ___ going to the beach tomorrow."
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) have
5. Identify the appropriate helping verb in the sentence:
"I ___ ready to leave now."
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) will
Intermediate Level Exercises:
1. Determine the correct helping verb in the sentence:
"She ___ been studying for hours."
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) has
2. Select the appropriate helping verb for the sentence:
"He ___ finished his homework yet."
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) has
3. Choose the correct helping verb to complete the sentence:
"They ___ playing outside."
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) has
4. Fill in the blank with the correct helping verb:
"She ___ visited her grandmother last weekend."
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) has
5. Identify the appropriate helping verb in the sentence:
"We ___ going to the concert tonight."
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) has
Master Level Exercises:
1. Determine the correct helping verb in the sentence:
"They ___ completed the project on time."
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) have
2. Select the appropriate helping verb for the sentence:
"I ___ seen that movie before."
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) have
3. Choose the correct helping verb to complete the sentence:
"She ___ lived in that city for ten years."
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) has
4. Fill in the blank with the correct helping verb:
"He ___ worked hard to achieve his goals."
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) has
5. Identify the appropriate helping verb in the sentence:
"They ___ been waiting for the bus for over an hour."
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) have
Answer key
Easy Level Exercise Answer Key:
- b) is
- c) are
- b) is
- c) are
- a) am
Intermediate Level Exercise Answer Key:
- d) has
- d) has
- c) are
- d) has
- c) are
Master Level Exercise Answer Key:
- d) have
- d) have
- d) has
- d) has
- d) have
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