TOIEC Grammar - Auxiliary Verbs

8/9/2019 TOIEC Grammar - Auxiliary Verbs

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Auxiliary Verbs

1. Introduction

Auxiliary verbs (sometimes known as helping verbs) are verbs that are used to assist the verb.

There are two groups:

Primary auxiliaries used mainly to change the tense or voice of the main verb, and in making

questions and negatives.

Modal auxiliaries used to change the "mood" of the main verb.

2. Primary auxiliaries

Be, do, have and their various forms are called primary auxiliaries (tr t chnh).

Be is used with other verbs to make progressive and passive verbs forms.

I am writing.

He was punished for lying.

Do is used to make questions, negatives and emphatic forms of non-auxiliary verbs.

Do you know where John lives?

I dont know.

Do sit down.

Have is used to make perfect verbs forms.

I havent completed my work.

She has acted in a film.

They had forgotten to send the letter.

Primary auxiliaries merely help to express statements of fact.

She is writing.

I am working.

You have done wrong.

He did not come in time.

They have arrived.


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Note that be, do and have can also function as principal verbs (ng t chnh). They are called auxiliaries

only when they help other verbs to form their tenses (cc th) and moods (thc).

You were wrong. (Principal verb)

You have done wrong. (Auxiliary verb)

She is a good singer. (Principal verb)

She is singing. (Auxiliary verb)

3. Modal auxiliaries

3.1. Definition

The verbs will, would, shall, should, can, could, may, might, must, ought, and need are usually called

modal auxiliaries (tr ng t khim khuyt/khuyt thiu). They are used with other verbs to express

actions, events or situations that exist only as conceptions of the mind (nhn thc ca tr c) permissions,

possibilities, certainty, ability, wishes, obligations etc. They may also express simple futurity.

I can swim.

She will come.

I must go now.

Should I call them?

She might come.

3.2. Characteristics

Modal auxiliaries have three common characteristics.

1. They are never used alone. A principal verb is either present or implied.

I can fly an aeroplane.

He should behave.

Will you go? Yes, I will (go).

2. Modal auxiliaries have nos in the third person singular.

I can swim.

She can swim. (NOTShe cans )

I may pass.

He may pass.


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3. Modal auxiliaries do not have infinitives (to may, to shall etc.) or participles (maying, shalling, shalled etc.).

You cannot say to shall, to must or to may.

3.3. Meaning of Modal Auxiliaries

Modal

auxiliaries

Meaning Example

Will Be willing to

Intend to

To talk about what will

happen in the future.

I will pen the window for you.

I won't be in the office until 11; I've got a meeting.

Ann will be 10 years old next month.

Shall Intend to (formal)

Have decided to

Where shall we meet?

She shall ask the conference.

May

Might

Can

Be possible to do Each nurse may be responsible for up to twenty

patients.

It might rain this evening.

Can you be off next Monday?

Would To talk about the past

habits

Be willing to

Polite requests and offers

After dinner we would sit in a common room and chat

for a while.

She said she would be try her best to finish the work.

Would you like another cup of tea?

Can

Could

May

Be allowed to do May I have one?

You can take both of them.

Must Be required to do

Be necessary

Be logically certain

Every must be on time.

I must stop smoking.

You must be very busy.


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Should

Ought to

Be obliged to do

Give advice

The equipment should be inspected regularly.

You should/ought to get your hair cut.

Need Ask for or give permission You need not work to day.

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TOIEC Grammar - Auxiliary Verbs