More Functions of Auxiliary Verbs | Special Verbs
More Functions of Auxiliary Verbs
More Functions of Auxiliary Verbs
You have already learned that the Verbs which help other verbs to form other tenses than the Simple Present or the Simple Past are called Auxiliary Verbs. Auxiliary verbs are 24 in number. They are multifunctional and special in performing functions in sentences. The Auxiliary Verbs are called Special Finites because their function is unique and special in different expressions. They are divided into two classes: Primary Auxiliaries and Modal Auxiliaries. In addition to the uses and functions of the Auxiliary Verbs talked about previously, there are some other functions of them which are going to be illustrated below:
1. Auxiliary Verbs are used to form various tenses of Principal Verbs:
We are playing. (Present Continuous Tense )
They have done the work. (Present Perfect Tense)
They will visit us. (Simple Future Tense)
We have been doing this since morning. (Present Perfect Continuous Tense)
You were reading the storybook. (Past Continuous Tense)
More Functions of Auxiliary Verbs
2. With the help of Modal Auxiliaries, the Principal Verbs express different Moods of Feeling:
We must do our duty. (Compulsion)
May I come in, sir? (Permission)
We can read and write. (Ability)
It may rain today. (Possibility)
We should help the poor (Moral Obligation)
More Functions of Auxiliary Verbs
3. Auxiliary Verbs are used for forming Negative Sentence:
Affirmative …..Negative
I am happy. I am not happy.
He is strong. He is not strong.
We have done this. We have not done this.
We must do it. We must not do it.
We ought to do that. We ought not to do that.
We play cricket. We do not play cricket.
George plays hockey. George does not play hockey.
Mango tastes sweet. Mango does not taste sweet.
We played cricket. We did not play cricket.
She said something. She did not say something.
Come here. Do not come here.
Run on. Do not run on.
They laughed at him. They did not laugh at him.
Note: (i) The negative word ‘not’ is used after the Auxiliary verb to transform an Affirmative Sentence into a Negative one.
Note: (ii) If an Affirmative sentence does not have an Auxiliary verb then do, does or did is used after the Subject and before the Principal Verb in accordance with the Tense and Number of Person and then not is placed after it. Does is used with the third person Singular Number in the Present Indefinite Tense and Did is used in the Past Indefinite Tense.
More Functions of Auxiliary Verbs
4. The Auxiliary Verbs are used to form Interrogative Sentences:
Assertive …..Interrogative
I learn English. Do I learn English?
We played volleyball. Did we play volleyball?
He did the work. Did he do the work?
They will arrive soon. Will they arrive soon?
I shall be glad. Shall I be glad?
You need go there. Need you go there?
Rani used to come here. Used Rani to come here?
Note: (i) An Assertive Sentence bearing any Auxiliary Verb is transformed into an Interrogative one by replacing the Auxiliary Verb before the subject.
Note: (ii) If the Tense of the expression is Present Indefinite or Past Indefinite then we use do, does or did in accordance with the Person and Number of the Subject.
More Functions of Auxiliary Verbs
5. Auxiliary Verbs are used to give very short type answer like ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to any question:
Questions ….. Answers
Do you know our President? Yes, I do.
Have you read ‘The War and Peace’? No, I haven’t.
Can you lend me the book? Yes, I can.
Does she sing an Italian song? Yes, she does.
Can you speak Greek? No, I can’t.
Note: An Auxiliary Verb with ‘not’ after it can be written in contracted forms as: do not: don’t, does not: doesn’t, did not: didn’t, cannot: can’t, am not: amn’t, is not: isn’t, are not: aren’t, were not: weren’t, have not: haven’t, may not, mayn’t, could not: couldn’t, shall not: shalln’t dare not: daren’t, had not: hadn’t, will not: won’t etc.
More Functions of Auxiliary Verbs
6. Auxiliary Verbs are used to support any statement:
He speaks in French tone: Yes, he does.
He goes there once a day: Yes, he does.
We ran the shop last year: Yes we did.
There are thirty-three benches in the hall: Yes, there are.
More Functions of Auxiliary Verbs
7. Auxiliary Verbs (Anomalous Finite Verbs) are used to support Negative Statements:
We do not know the place: No, we don’t.
He is not wicked: No, he isn’t.
Tapash did not play: No, Tapash didn’t.
More Functions of Auxiliary Verbs
8. Auxiliary Verbs are used to give short replies in disagreement:
My cousin is a singer: No, she isn’t.
He is a good student: No, he isn’t.
He writes well: No, he doesn’t.
They are fine: No, they aren’t.
Ram will punish you: No, Ram won’t.
More Functions of Auxiliary Verbs
9. Auxiliary Verbs are used in case of Tag Questions:
StatementTag Question
It is not raining now. Is it?
It is not cold today. Is it?
You speak English well. Don’t you?
She plays on the guitar. Doesn’t she?
Note: In case of making Tag Question remember that if the main statement is Affirmative then the Tag Question should be in the Negative and when the main statement is Negative then the Tag Question should be in the Affirmative.
More Functions of Auxiliary Verbs
10. Auxiliary Verbs are used in sentences meant for comparing Persons/Thing/Qualities etc.
The boy is as smart as his brother is.
I can run as fast as Robert can.
The field is as spacious as that is.
More Functions of Auxiliary Verbs
11. Do /does /did is used to add a statement to a sentence that has no Auxiliary Verb in its first part.
His father has left the land forever but he didn’t.
I drink much water but my brother doesn’t.
They quarrelled often but his relatives don’t.
More Functions of Auxiliary Verbs
12. In case of adding an Affirmative statement to another Affirmative statement Auxiliary Verb is used along with ‘so’.
I overcame all difficulties and so did my younger brother.
Jenifa played fine and so did Bina.
I like a white rose so does my child.
More Functions of Auxiliary Verbs
13. If the first part of a sentence does not have an Auxiliary Verb, the second part can be formed by using do, did or does.
Rakesh works hard and so does his son.
The weather became good so did my mind.
Seema dances seriously so does her sister.
More Functions of Auxiliary Verbs
14. Affirmative statement may be made after Negative statement with the help of Auxiliary Verb by adding ‘but’:
I cannot play on clarion but my uncle can.
He will not play ball but we will.
I may not succeed but my mission will.
They have not an organization but we have.
More Functions of Auxiliary Verbs
15. Negative statement may be made with the help of an Auxiliary Verb by adding ‘Neither, nor’ to the Negative statement:
My classmates were not present, nor was the Headmaster.
They were not playing and neither was my brother.
Jenifa does not play fine and neither does Jhony.
More Functions of Auxiliary Verbs
16. Negative statement may be added to an Affirmative statement by using an Auxiliary Verb:
I will go to Switzerland but my brother won’t.
I can read Latin well but my son can’t.
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EXERCISEÂ
1. Turn the following sentences into Negative:
a. Rekha knows how to swim.
b. I can write Latin.
c. She feels happy.
d. We must keep that.
e. We are Indians.
f. The flowers smell sweet.
g. The boy looked very intelligent.
2. Turn the following sentences into Interrogative:
a. I always do my work.
b. She is singing a melodious song.
c. Karishma has a red car.
d.The shop opens at 10. a. m. every day.
e. He lied to all.
f.You have a knife.
g. I was awaiting him.
h. She can walk.
3. Complete the following sentences with Tag Questions:
a. He is older than I am.
b. Nita broke the window.
c. She sang well.
d. We do not like it.
e. They were not fine.             Â
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N.B. Â The article ‘More Functions of Auxiliary Verbs | Special Verbs’ originally belongs to the book ‘School English Grammar Part- I‘ by Menonim Menonimus.
Books of Composition by M. Menonimus:
- Advertisement Writing
- Amplification Writing
- Note Making
- Paragraph Writing
- Notice Writing
- Passage Comprehension
- The Art of Poster Writing
- The Art of Letter Writing
- Report Writing
- Story Writing
- Substance Writing
- School Essays Part-I
- School Essays Part-II
- School English Grammar Part-I
- School English Grammar Part-II..
Books of S. Story by M. Menonimus:
Books of Biography by M. Menonimus:
- The World Writers-Brief Biographies
- Introduction to World Writers
- Introduction to World Personalities
- Love of Reputed Persons ..
Books on Linguistics by M. Menonimus:
- A Brief History of the English Language
- Essays on Linguistics
- My Imageries
- Felicitous Expression: Some Examples
- Learners’ English Dictionary
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