The auxiliary verbs are very important to know. In English, there are 3 of them: Do, Have, and Be. These three auxiliaries are also verbs (do = to do, have = to have, be = to be), so they have a dual purpose. The auxiliaries must not be confused with the verbs in a sentence. In the examples, the auxiliary will be in red and the verb in blue.
The Basics of English Elements
- Person
- I
- You
- He, she, it
- We
- You
- They
- Present
- do
- do
- does
- do
- do
- do
- have
- have
- has
- have
- have
- have
- be
- am
- are
- is
- are
- are
- are
It is essential not to confuse the verb and the auxiliary in a sentence.
We will use the auxiliaries in their auxiliary function (and not as a verb) in three cases: to form the negative form, the interrogative form, and the compound tenses (only for have and be). To know which auxiliary to use, whatever the case, here is the rule.
- Present
- DO, except when the verb is TO BE
- I am inside the cinema
- She eats pizza
- She does not eat pizza
- Continuous Present (be + ing)
- I am coming tomorrow
- I am not coming tomorrow
- Are you coming tomorrow?
- Past
- DID, except when the verb is TO BE
- We wrote a letter
- We did not write a letter
- Did we write a letter?
- BE
- I am not inside the cinema
- Are you inside the cinema?
- They were nice with us
- They were not nice with us
- Were they nice with us?
- Negative Form
- Subject / Auxiliary / Negative (not) / Verb / Complement
- I do not like the sport
- Interrogative Form
- (Interrogative word) / Auxiliary / Subject / Verb / Complement
- Do you prefer this jacket?
- Where were you yesterday?
Will
Will is used to express the future.
- Affirmative
- Subject / Will / Verb / Complement
- I will go to the school
- Negative
- Subject / Will / Not / Verb / Complement
- She will not eat meat
- Interrogative
- Will / Subject / Verb / Complement
- Will you come with me to the restaurant?
