Helping Verbs in English, List & Examples
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Helping Verb: Helping verb is a verb that helps the main verb in a sentence by extending its meaning. They add detail to the main verb and are needed to complete the structure of a sentence. They can also clarify how time is conveyed in a sentence. As a result, the helping verb is used to create complicated progressive and perfect verb tenses.
Helping Verbs In English
In English grammar, a helping verb is a verb that is added before the main verb in a sentence. The helping verb and the main verb combine together to form a verb phrase. (This verb is also known as an auxiliary verb). A helping verb always stands before the main verb.
List of Helping Verbs
Below is the list of helping verbs that are usually added before the main verbs or you can say they stand before the main verb to help. Such helping verbs are Do, Does, Did, Has, Have, Had, Were, Be, Is, Are, Was, Were, May, Could, Would, Can, ought, etc. to know more see the list below-
| Do | Does | Did | Has |
| Have | Had | Is | Am |
| Are | Was | Were | Be |
| Being | Been | May | Must |
| Might | Should | Could | Would |
| Shall | Will | Can | Ought |
Examples of Helping Verbs
Examples are something that makes the understanding better. let's assume a sentence that says “ Apoorv walks quickly”. Here walks is the main verb but what if there is a change in tense, we would say “Apoorv is walking quickly”. So now there are two verbs i.e. Main verb and the Helping verb. Walking is the main verb and “is” the helping verb. Also here you should notice that the helping verb is standing before the main verb. Here, are some more examples to make you understand better:
- I am having another piece of pizza.
- She is making dinner for us now.
- They are planning to go out of town.
- She was given the grand prize.
- We were pleased to be included.
- Will you be going?
- I’ve been running for over an hour.
- I have grown tomatoes before.
The bolded words above are the helping verbs that help the main verb.
Types of Helping Verbs
The helping verb is of two types:
1. Primary Helping Verb
2. Modal Helping verb
| Primary Helping Verb | Modal Helping Verb |
To be - is, are, am, was were, been, being To have - has, have, had To do - do, does, did | Can, could, May, Might, Should, Would, Must, Ought to, Am/was to, Have/Has to, Used to, Need, Dare, Shall, Will. |
Primary Helping Verbs
Primary helping verbs help the main verb, but can also serve as the main verb in a sentence. Primary helping verbs include “be”, “do”, and “have” verbs.
Examples of Primary Helping Verbs
- I am having another piece of sandwich.
- Aruna is making dinner for us now.
- Kapil and his family are planning to go out of town.
- Nidhi was given the grand prize.
- They were pleased to be included.
- Will they be going?
- I've been walking for over an hour.
- I have grown potatoes before.
- Who has traveled to Sri Lanka?
- He had asked if he could take that pillow.
- I do find that act amusing.
- What did you eat?
The bolded words above are primary helping verbs.
Modal Helping Verbs
A Verb used to express the mood(mode) or attitude of a speaker is called a Modal helping verb. The most commonly used Modal helping verbs are Can, could, May, Might, Should, Would, Must, Ought to, Am/was to, Have/Has to, Used to, Need, Dare, Shall, and Will.
Example of Modal Helping Verbs
- Salmond can name all the U.S. presidents.
- I wish I could dance.
- I may leave the office early.
- I might eat pasta for dinner.
- I will read three books this weekend.
- Would you mind if I stayed at your house for a night?
- Who shall volunteer to lead the group?
- You should go home and study hard.
- You must follow instructions.
- You ought to serve your motherland.