Ask a Teacher

What is an auxillary verb?

Auxiliary verbs are sometimes called helping verbs because they are needed to form many of the tenses. The most used auxiliary verbs are the verbs to be, to do and to have. For example: the auxiliary to do is needed to ask questions in the present and past simple tenses. To be is needed for the present and past continuous, and all the passive forms. The auxiliary to have is used in the present and past perfect tenses. Some tenses, like the present perfect continuous, need more than one auxiliary!

Here are some examples of the common auxiliary verbs in action:

• Do you like German food?
• Does your mother speak English?
• Did you come to school yesterday?
• Why are you talking? You should be listening to me!
• I was having a bath when you called!
• A new road is being built behind the school.
• Have you done your homework?
• My father has never visited the USA.
• How long have you been living in Germany?
• By this time next year I will have been learning English for 35 years!

Other common auxiliary verbs are: will, should, would, can, must, might, may, could (These verbs are often called modal verbs).