Cohesive Devices - Exercise

Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, are the unsung heroes of English grammar. They assist the main verbs in sentences, adding nuances like tense, mood, and voice. In this article, we'll explore the world of auxiliary verbs, understanding their different types and how they support our sentences.

Primary Auxiliary Verbs

Primary auxiliary verbs are the most basic helping verbs. There are three primary auxiliary verbs in English:

1. be - Used for forming continuous and passive verb tenses.

   • She is reading a book. (Present continuous tense)
   • The cake was eaten by him. (Past passive voice)

2. have - Used for forming perfect verb tenses.

   • I have finished my homework. (Present perfect tense)
   • They had already left when I arrived. (Past perfect tense)

3. do - Used for making questions and negative sentences in the simple tenses.

   • Do you like ice cream? (Question)
   • He doesn't like broccoli. (Negative)

Primary auxiliary verbs help us convey actions in different tenses and forms.

Modal Auxiliary Verbs

Modal auxiliary verbs, often referred to as modals, express possibility, necessity, ability, or permission. The most common modals include:

1. can - Indicates ability or possibility.

   • She can swim. (Ability)
   • I can help you with that. (Possibility)

2. will - Shows future action or willingness.

   • They will arrive soon. (Future action)
   • I will help you with your project. (Willingness)

3. may - Suggests possibility or permission.

   • You may bring a friend. (Permission)
   • It may rain later. (Possibility)

4. must - Conveys necessity or strong obligation.

   • You must wear a helmet. (Necessity)
   • She must finish her homework. (Obligation)

5. should - Suggests advice, recommendation, or mild obligation.

   • You should eat your vegetables. (Recommendation)
   • I should start studying. (Mild obligation)

6. might - Indicates possibility or uncertainty.

   • It might snow tomorrow. (Possibility)
   • I might come to the party. (Uncertainty)

Modal auxiliary verbs add shades of meaning to our sentences, reflecting our attitudes and beliefs.

Perfect and Progressive Auxiliaries

Perfect and progressive auxiliaries are combinations of primary auxiliary verbs and main verbs that create specific tenses and aspects. They include:

1. have been - Forms the present perfect continuous tense.

   • She has been working all day.

2. had been - Forms the past perfect continuous tense.

   • They had been studying for hours.

3. will have been - Forms the future perfect continuous tense.

   • By next year, he will have been working here for a decade.

These auxiliaries help us describe actions that are ongoing or completed with respect to time.

Auxiliary verbs are sometimes called Anomalous Finites.  To know more about it, read this short article.

Auxiliary verbs are the unsung heroes that assist our main verbs in conveying accurate and nuanced meanings in English. By understanding the different types of auxiliary verbs and how they work, we can construct sentences that express actions, conditions, and attitudes with clarity and precision. So, embrace the power of auxiliary verbs, and watch as your sentences become more versatile and insightful!