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Auxiliary Verbs

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Auxiliary verbs are the verbs which help the main verb and give extra meaning to it. For example:

"I have studied English for three years."

The auxiliary verb have changes the tense of the sentence to present perfect, so we know the activity is ongoing.

"I studied English for three years."

In this case there is no auxiliary verb and the sentence is therefore past simple, which means the activity has finished. So auxiliary verbs are very important for understanding the meaning of a sentence!

In the following sentences, which auxiliary verb do you need to use? How many did you get correct??

Today's lesson is by Caroline.

Link: What are Auxiliary verbs?

  • 1. I ___ going to the beach later.




  • 2. ___ you have a pen I can borrow?




  • 3. ___ you got ballet tomorrow?




  • 4. I ___ cook three different types of cheesecake.




  • 5. She ___ back yet. We will have to wait for her.




  • 6. ___ you ever been to South Africa?




  • 7. I really ___ visit my Grandfather.




  • 8. I ___ do my homework later.




  • 9. ___ you allergic to anything?




  • 10. I ___ tidy my room, but I don't want to.