Auxiliary Verbs

Auxiliary Verb: A verb helps other verbs to form different tenses is known as Auxiliary Verb.

List of Auxiliary verbs:

Be and its forms: am, is, are, was, were.

Have and its forms: have, has, had

Do and its forms: do, does, did, done

Shall, should, will, would

Can, could; may, might

Must, ought, need, dare, used to

Kinds of auxiliary Verbs:

1. Primary Auxiliaries
2. Modem Auxiliaries

1. Primary Auxiliaries: Verbs used to form negative, question and tenses are known as Primary Auxiliaries.

Ex:

am	was	do	have
is	were	does	has
are	been	did	had

2. Modal Auxiliaries: Verbs used to exoress various moods and mental attitudes like hope, expectations, possibility and futurity are known as Model Auxiliaries.

Ex:

can	may	will	shall
coulx	might	would	should
dare	outght to	used to	must need

ANOMALOUS VERBS

NON-FINITE FORMSFINITE FOEMS

INFINITIVE	PRESENT PARTICIPPLE	PAST PARTICIPLE
BE	BEING	BEEN
DO	DOING	DONE

PRESENT TENSE	PAST TENSE
AM, IS, ARE	WAS, WERE
HAVE, HAS	HAD
DO, DOES	DID
SHALL	SHOULD
WILL	WOULD
CAN	COULD
MAY	MIGHT
OUGHT [TO]
NEED
DARE
	USED TO

A. USES OF 'BE'

1. Be and its forms are used as Link Verbs

Ex; I am a writer.

She is Amina

They are cricket players.

2. To express a command or advice

Ex: Be considerate to others.

Be content with what you have.

Be polite to strangers.

3. In the formation of Present and past Continuous Tense

• Present Continuous Tense

Ex: I am writing a letter.

Isa is reading a novel.

You are talking to the manager.

• Past Continuous Tense

Ex: I was watching television in the afternoon.

We were dictating a letter to them.

You were sitting in the classroom.

4. To form Passive Voice

Ex: I am informed about the matter.

You are asked to submit the application.

You are requested to invite the guests.

They are paid in cash.

I was blamed for the delay.

5. Be + To infinitive indicate plan or arrangements

Ex: I am to marry her without dowry.

He is to qualify in the final exam.

She is to bring vegetables from the market.

6. To express a command

Ex: You are to get me a cup of tea.

You are to type the letters by evening.

You are to learn the poem by heart.

7. To make question

Ex: I am a teacher	Am i a teacher?
you are my friends	Are you my friends
We are happy	Are we happy?

8. To make Negative Questions

Statement	Negative Question
I am not a journalist.	Am i not a journalist?
We are not hungry now	Are you not hungry now?
You are not my wife.	Are you not my wife?

9. To make Negatives

Statement	Negative Statement/th>
I am a player.	I am not a player.
We are poor	You are not poor
You are a singer	You are not a singer.

10. was/were + perfect Infinitive an arrangements which was not fulfilled.

Ex: He was to have consulted the doctor yesterday.

She was to have returned from Abuja last week.

I was to have written the book last year.

B. USES OF 'DO'

1. it is used in the sense: to perform or act

Ex: You must do [perform] what I tell you.

I did [act] it on Caroline's advice.

2. To make questions

 

Statement	Question
I Teach English.	Do i teach English?
We speak Hausa	Do we speak Hausa?
You love me	Do you love me?
Munir goes to office early	Does Munir go to office early?

3. To form negative questions

Statement	Negative Question
I like reading the book	i don't like reading the book
We eat apples	We don't eat apples.
They paid the money	They did not pay the money.

4. To avoid repetition

Do you know Musa?	Yes, i do
He teaches you English.	Yes, he does
You did not tell me the truth.	Did you?

5. To emphasize a statement.

Ex; You do look tired.

I did not write the letter to her. But you did write it.

She did not come yesterday. But she did come.

6. Do may sometimes be used for a request or invitation.

Ex: Do visit us.

Do stay with us.

C. USES OF 'HAVE'

1. Have is used in the sense of possess, take, experience and receive.

Ex: Damilola has common sense. [Possess]

They have coffee at eight. [Take]

Nura had fever. [Experience]

2. To form perfect Tenses

(a) Ex: I have written the letter.

We have met Damilola before.

Mummy has understood me.

(b) present perfect Continuous Tense

Ex; He has been working in the bank for five years.

Ismail has been helping me till now.

They have been staying with us since 1992.

(C) Past perfect

Ex: The bus had left when we reached the park.

She had done her when they visited her.

I hadn't seen Sani by then.

(d) perfect Continuous Tense [past]

Ex: I had been teaching English when I met her.

She had been reading the book when I reached there.

They had been sleeping for two hours, when he reached there.

3. To form question

Statement	Question
I have waited for her.	Have i waited for her?
We have stayed there.	Have we stayed there?
You have passed the exam.	Have you passed the exam?

4. To form negative questions

Statement	Nagative Question
I have not seen her.	Have we not seen her?
We have not passed the test.	Have we not passed the test?
You have not posted the letter.	Have you not posted the letter?

5. To form negative statements

Statement	Negative statement
I have once visited Rigasa.	I have never visited Rigasa
We have finished our work.	We have not finished our work.
You have sent me the book.	You have not sent me the book.

6. To form Passive Voice

Ex: I have been informed of the matter.

We have been asked to go there.

You have been insulted by her.

He has been arrested by the police.

7. 'Have' + 'to' Infinitive expresses command

Ex: You have to be here at six in the evening.

You have to answer my questions.

You have to explain the reason to me for your delay.

8. 'Have' + 'to' infinitive expresses obligation

Ex: She has to live with her parents.

He has to earn money for his family.

They have to wait for better days.

MODALS AND THEIR MEANINGS

MODAL AUXILIARY	MEANING ATTECHED
can	Ability, Permission, Request, Possibility
Could	Ability, Request, Possibility
Shall.	Future, Willingness, Intention, Suggestion, Insistence
Should	Obligation, Advisability, Necessary, Expectation
Will	Willingness, Intention, Prediction, Insistence, Request
Would	Willingness, Habitual Action in the past, Possibility, Wishes, Desire
May	Permission, Possibility, Wishes, Purpose, Concession
Might	Permission, Possibility, Concession, Reproach
Must	Necessary, Prohibition, Compulsion, Obligation, Certainty, Probability
Ought [To]	Moral Obligation, Duty, Necessary, Desirability
Used [To]	Past discontinued habit
Need	Necessity, Importance, Desirability
Dare	Challenge, Courage, Boldness, Disapproval

D. MODAL AUXILIARIES

Main features: Modals have some specific features of their own.

1. Modal Auxiliaries cannot be used alone. They should be combined with principal verbs.

Ex: You may go now.

She can speak English.

He must tell the truth.

Note: Principal Verbs can used alone.

Ex: You go to the park every Sunday.

She speaks English.

He tells the truth.

2. They have only a single form.

Ex: I can teach	He can teach.
She may come.	We may come.
They must help.	I must help.

Note: Primary Verbs have different forms.

Ex: I am teaching.	I have taught.	You are teaching.
He does the work.	They do the work.	I was writing.

Principal Verbs have different forms.

Ex: I like.	He likes.	They eat.
She eats.	He goes.	We go.

3. The modal Auxiliaries have no infinitive or participle form.

We cannot write : To must, to can, to shall

Note: To will, to need, to dare are correct, because these verbs are used as principal Verbs. But they have different meanings. 

Ex:

He decided to will his property to his sons.[gave away]

You don't need to worry. [no necessity of worrying]

She did not dare to talk to her father [have no courage to talk]

Note: primary Auxiliaries have infinitive and participle forms.

1. Infinitive:

Ex: I desire to be praised.

Amina appears to have loved me.

2. Participle:

Ex: The house is being built.

They are being questioned.

He has been arrested.

E. THE USES OF 'CAN'

1. Can is used to express ability

Ex: I can teach English.

She can understand the poem.

He can type the letters.

2. To express capacity

Ex: He can work hard.

She can deal with customers.

He can build a house.

3. To express permission

Ex: Can I speak to the manager?

Can I have a cup of tea?

Can I go early today?

4. To express possibility

Ex: He can come tomorrow.

She can be angry with you.

You can speak in English if you try.

Could

1. Could is used to express past ability

Ex: I could walk longer if I tried harder.

She could work long when she was young.

He could not attend the function due to heavy rain.

2. Could is used in indirect speech

Ex: She told me that she could help me..

They said they could lend me money.

We said we could finish the work by then.

3. Could is used to express possibility

Ex: if I were you, I could do it easily.

If only Zee were here, I could ask her about it.

If she had a degree, she could apply for the post.

4. Could is used to make a polite request

Ex: Could you post this letter for me?

Could you have dinner with me this evening?

Could you teach me English grammar?

5. Could is used to express permission

Ex: Could I sleep in the room?

Could I talk to your brother?

Could I have your magazine for a while?

May

1. May is used to express permission

Ex:  may I open the window?

May I use your phone?

May I park the car in your compound?

2. May is used to express a polite request

Ex: May I speak to Anna?

May  I join the conversation?

May I come with you?

3. May is also used to express possibility

Ex: Aliyu may come tomorrow.

You may pass the exam.

He may be elected president of the association.

4. May is used to express a wish

Ex: may God bless you!

May God help you!

May you live long!

.

5. May is used in subordinate clauses to express purpose

Ex: learn that you may teach others.

Earn that you may spend.

Eat that you may live.

Might 

1. Might is the past tense of may and it is used in indirect speech

Ex: He said that he might marry her without dowry.

She said that she might come the next day.

They told me that they might apply for a bank loan.

Shema'u said that she might become a nurse.

2. Might is used to express possibility

Ex: It might rain today.

She might be happy with her husband.

He might be awarded a scholarship.

He might attend the meeting.

3. Much is used to express permission

Ex: Might I ho early today?

Might I use your phone?

Might I borrow your dictionary?

Much I clean the table?

Might is used to make a gentle reproach

Ex: You much spend the money with a little care.

You might have told me earlier about it.

You might go there a little early.

Will

Will is used to express simple futurity in the second and third person

Ex: The plane will take off in a few seconds.

Tomorrow will be a holiday.

They will come tomorrow.

2. Will is used to express determination promise, threat, willingness in the first person

(a) Determination

Ex: I will train her.{I am determined to train her.}

I will not agree with him. {I am determined not to agree with him}

We will not see her again. [We are determined to not see her again}

(b) Promise

Ex: I will give you a nice gift on your birthday. {Promise to give }

We will help you in this matter. {Promise to help}

I will consider the case. {Promise to consider}

(c) threat

Ex: I will sue her.

I will dismiss you from service.

We will expel you.

(d) Willingness

Ex: We will tell you the address.{Willing to tell}

I will type the letter. {Willing to help}

3. Will is used to talk about characteristics habit

Ex: He will listen to the news on television in the evening.

Hauwa will talk about her husband and children.

They will boast of their wealth and prosperity.

4. Will is used to talk about probability

Ex: I think she will be an expert in computers.

I suppose he will be the direct of the film

I think Hafsat will be a great singer.

5. Will is used to indicate an invitation or a polite request

Ex: Will you have a cup of tea?

Will you post this letter for me?

Will you have dinner with me tomorrow?

Will you type this letter neatly?

Would 

1. Would is the past tense of will and it is used in indirect speech

Ex: She told me that she would see me the next day.

He said that he would consult the advocate.

Amaka told me that she would not like to marry him.

2. would is used to express willingness or determination

Ex: The chief Surgeon said he would operate on the patient. [Willing to operate]

The Nurse said she would look after the patient. {Willing to look after}

The Nurse said she would look after the patient. [Willing to look after]

She would apply for the post. [Determined to apply]

3. Would is used to express a past habit

Ex: He would sit there and think about his childhood. 

She would meet him and take part in his work.

He would return home and read newspapers daily.

4. 'Would' and 'would like to' are used to express a wish 

Ex: I would Know her opinion about it.[Wish to know]

I would like to talk about it later. [Wish to talk]

I would like to express my thanks to her help. {Wish to express}

5. Would you + infinitive is used to make a polite request

Ex: Would you give this to my brother?

Would you please read this book to me?

Would you please wait for for me?

6. 'Would rather' is used to express a choice or preference

Ex: I would rather die than marry her.

He would rather go out than stay at home.

She would rather apply for a job than continue her studies.

7. Would is used in the main clause when preceded by a subordinate clause expressing improbable condition

Ex: if I were rich, I would go to America.

If I were a poet, I would express my feelings to you.

If she were a firm star, I would train her.

8. Wish + would is used to express intention

Ex: I wish I would know her address.

She wishes she would visit Jo's.

I wish I would see Nisan again.

9. Would you be good/kind+enough+to infinitive is used to express a polite request

Ex: Would you be good enough to allow me to speak to the manager?

Would you be kind enough to lend me your book?

Note: This type of sentence are rarely used. So students are advised to use the other simpler forms to make a request.

10. Would you mind + gerund may be used to make a request in a natural way

Ex: Would you mind lending me your magazine?

Would you mind typing letter for me?

Would you mind getting me a Tedi?

Shall

1. Sham is used in the first person to express futurity

Ex: I shall see Saad tomorrow.

We shall visit visit Jos the next week

We shall attend drama classes from Monday.

2. Shall is used in the second and the third person to express a command, a promise or a threat

(a) Command:

Ex: You shall not smoke in the room. [You are commanded not to smoke]

You shall obey me. [You are commanded to obey]

He shall sign the documents. [He is commanded to sign] 

(b) Promise:

Ex: You shall get a gold medal, if you win distinction.

He shall be encouraged, if he works hard.

You shall be offend the post, if you pass the written test.

(c) Threat:

Ex: You shall be fined, if you exceed the speed limit.

He shall be punished for his misbehavior.

He shall be expelled from collage for his bad conduct.

(d) Determination

Ex: You aha explain the reason for your delay.

[I am determined that you must explain to me the reason for your delay]

You shall do whatever I tell you.

[I am determined that you must do whatever I tell you]

They shall pay the fine.

[ I am determined the they should pay the fine]

(e) Shall is used in the first person to express permission and suggestion.

(I) Permission: 

Ex: Shall I post the letter? [Do you allow me to post the letter]

Shall I really the book to you? [Do you allow me to read the book to you]

Shall I open the window? [Do you allow me to open the window]

(II) Suggestion:

Ex: Sham I apply for a bank loan? [Do you fell it proper for me to apply for a loan]

Shall I come tomorrow? [Do you expect me to come tomorrow]

Shall we go the book store this evening? [Do we go to the book store this evening]

Should

1. Should is used the past tense of shall and it is used in indirect speech

Ex: He said that he should go to Abuja next week.

Amaka said that she should visit her uncle the next month.

My friend said that he should stay in my house for a week.

2. Would is used to express duty or obligation in all person

(a) Duty

Ex: You should attend the classes regularly.[it is your duty to attend the classes regularly as a student]

We should pay texes to the government. [As citizen it is our duty to pay taxes]

Maryam should bring up the child. [As a mother, it is her duty to bring up the child]

(b) Obligation

Ex: You should help the poor. [Moral obligation]

We should realize our mistakes. [Personal obligation]

You should respect others. [Social obligation]

He should give up smoking. [He is obliged to give up smoking on health grounds]

3. Would is used to express possibility or supposition in condition clauses

Ex: If she should come, I sham talk to her about it.

Should it rain, the exam will be canceled.

If he should go to Abuja, he will buy a nice gift for me.

4. Should is used in clause expressing unreal condition

Ex: if I were you, I should marry Laurat.

If I were you, I should resign the job.

If I were a hero, she should be my heroine.

5. Should is used after 'lest' in a clause expressing purpose

Ex: Come early lest we should be late.

They worked hard lest they should fail in their attempt.

Walk carefully lest you should fall.

6. Should like to+infinitive expresses a wish or desire as a polite form

Ex: I should like to congratulate the winners in the competition.

I should like to see the film with you.

I should like to have an interview with the film star.

7. Should is used to express possibility or likelihood

Ex: I should be able to complete the book in time.

He should be I the office now.

I should pay you the money, if I get the salad in time.

8. Should + perfect Infinitive is used to indicate a past obligation which was unfulfilled:

Ex: I should have spoken to her about it.

[But I did not speak to her about it.]

He should have sent a mail to his brother.

[But he did not send a mail to his brother]

They should have sold the house.

]But they did not sell the house]

MUST

1. Must is used to express obligation or duty

(a) Obligation:

Ex: We must complain the matter to the police.

She must go with her brother.

You must tell me the truth.

(b) Duty:

Ex: You must look after your old parents.

[It is your duty as a son]

She must love her child.

[It I her duty as a mother]

We must use our right to vote properly.

[It is our duty as citizens]

2. Must used yo express necessity

Ex: You must tsk the medicine daily.

He must work hard for promotion.

We must cut down our expenditure.

3. It is used to express a fixed or strong determination

Ex: I must teach her a lesson.

We must finish the work today.

I must become a writer.

4. It is used to express probability or likelihood

Ex: I think, she must be Caroline.

I suppose he must be my friend.

I think it must be a nice film.

OUGHT

Ought [To] is used to express duty, necessity, fitness and moral obligation:

1. Duty

Ex: You ought to love your parents.

He ought to understand his wife.

She ought to be faithful to her husband.

2. Necessity

Ex: You ought to do your duty honestly.

She ought to work hard for her family.

We ought to stay in the hotel.

3. Fitness

 Ex: You ought to be a graduate for this post.

She ought to know typing for the post.

He ought to be fluent in English for the post.

4. Moral obligation

Ex: You ought to help the poor.

Your ought to be polite to others.

You ought not to laugh at the poor.

5. Ought to + perfect infinitive is used to express a past obligation which was not fulfilled

Ex: You ought to have spent the money more wisely. 

We ought not to have wasted our time.

You ought to have told me earlier about it.

NEED

1. Need is used in the sense or require as a principal verb

Ex: Amaka need money.

We need your help.

They needed more funds to build the house.

2. As an auxiliary verb, it remains unchanged and it is commonly used with not

Ex: You need not word about your future.

Marry need not think about her education.

He need not pay extra for my services.

3. It is sometimes used with hardly

Ex: I need hardly tell you that I like music.

We new hardly remind him of his duty.

I need hardly say that I like you very much.

4. It can also be used with only

Ex: You need only DA that you want coffee and your wife will bring it to you.

You new only pay the subscription and we will make you our member.

I need only tell you that I should like to employ you.

5. 'Need' without not may be used in questions

Ex: Need I pay the money?

Need  I pay the money?

You need not go there, need you?

6. 'Need' can be conjugated with 'do' and it is used with 'to' infinitive

Ex: Do you need to tell me about it?

He doesn't need to pay for his food.

Does Shamsu need to apply for job?

Note; Do/does/did + need + to infinitive is different from need + perfect infinitive

Ex: She didn't new to spend the money.

She needn't have spent the money.

I didn't need to help her.

It is Clear that need + perfect infinitive is used to express a regret for what we have done earlier by there is no such regret with didn't need + infinitive.

DARE

The verb date is used in the sense of defying, challenging or facing something boldly and it has all usually forms as a regular verb

Ex: He doesn't dare to write a letter to her.

I didn't dare to tell Bukola about my job.

He dared to drink before his father.

2. As an auxiliary verb, it has no inflexions and it is then used in the sense of 'have the courage to', 

Ex: She dad not speak to her father.

How dare he talk like that!

I dare not ask him for money.

USED TO

I. It is used to talk about a past discontinued habit

Ex: There used to be a hotel in our village.

He used to play in the garden.

She used to teach English to school children.

Complete Form	+ not	Contraction
can	Not	can't
could	not	couldn't
will	not	won't
would	not	wouldn't
shall	not	shan't
should	not	shouldn't
must	Not	mustn't
need	Not	needn't
ought	Not	oughtn't
dare	Not	daren't
is	Not	isn't
are	Not	aren't
were	Not	weren't
do	Not	don't
does	Not	doesn't
did	Not	didn't

G. COMMON CONTRACTIONS

Personal pronoun	Verb	Contraction
I	am	I'm
I	have	I've
I	will	I'll
I	would	i'd
I	had	I'd
you	are	you're
you	have	you've
you	will	you'll
you	would	you'd
he	is	he's
he	will	he'll
he	would	he'd
she	is	she's
she	will	she'll
she	would	she'd
it	is	it's
it	will	it'll
we	are	we're
we	have	we've
we	will	we'd
they	are	they're
they	have	they've
they	will	they'll
they	would	they'd

Other common contractions

pronoun or Adverb	verb	contraction
here	is	here's
there	is	there's
where	is	where's
when	is	when's
how	is	how's
that	is	that's
that	will	that'll
what	is	what's
what	will	what'll
who	is	who's
who	will	who'll
who	would	who'd