Helping verbs (also known as auxiliary verbs) are used alongside main verbs to form different tenses, voices, moods, or to add meaning. There are 23 common helping verbs in English, divided into three groups:
Primary Helping Verbs
These are used to form different tenses:
1. Be (am, is, are, was, were, being, been)
2. Have (has, have, had)
3. Do (does, do, did)
Modal Helping Verbs
These express ability, possibility, permission, or necessity:
4. Can
5. Could
6. Shall
7. Should
8. Will
9. Would
10. May
11. Might
12. Must
Semi-Modal Verbs
These are less formal modals:
13. Ought to
14. Need to
15. Dare
16. Used to
Key Points
• Helping verbs help the main verb in a sentence.
• Example with helping verbs:
• Be: She is studying.
• Have: They have finished their homework.
• Will: He will call you later.
Would you like more examples or a deeper explanation of a specific helping verb?