Helping verb
Definition
A helping verb, or auxiliary verb, works with a main verb to form tense, aspect, voice, questions, negatives or modal meaning. Common auxiliaries include forms of be, have, do and modal verbs such as can and might.
Examples
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She is waiting outside.
Is helps form the present continuous with waiting.
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They have finished the work.
Have helps form the present perfect with finished.
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Do you agree?
Do helps form a present simple question.
Helping verb vs. main verb
They have finished the work.
Have builds the perfect verb phrase.
They have enough time.
Have carries the central meaning of possession.
The same word can be an auxiliary in one sentence and a main verb in another.
The first auxiliary carries tense and inversion
A verb phrase can contain several auxiliaries. The first auxiliary is normally the finite element and moves before the subject in a question.
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The work has been completed.
Has is finite, while been helps form the passive perfect.
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Has the work been completed?
The first auxiliary moves before the subject to form the question.
Common mistakes
She waiting outside.
She is waiting outside.
The continuous form needs a helping verb: be + verb-ing.
Does she works here?
Does she work here?
After the helping verb does, use the base form of the main verb.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which word is the helping verb in They have arrived?
Have is the auxiliary that forms the present perfect.Which sentence uses be as a helping verb?
In is reading, is helps form the continuous verb phrase.Which question correctly moves the first auxiliary before the subject?
The first auxiliary has moves before the subject.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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