Helping Verbs

Examples Help! Helping Verbs - the Definition and Meaning of a Helping Verb

What is a verb? The meaning or definition of a Verb is as follows "A verb is a word which implies action or the doing of something, or it may be defined as a word which affirms, commands or asks a question". But what is a helping verb? 'Helping verbs' work with the main verb to give the reader a better idea of when the action takes place - in he present, past or in the future e.g. have, had and shall.


Helping Verbs

Verbs may also be divided into principal and auxiliary. Auxiliary verbs are called helping verbs, because it is by their aid that the compound tenses are formed. A principal verb is that without which a sentence or clause can contain no assertion or affirmation. An auxiliary is a verb joined to the root or participles of a principal verb to express time and manner with greater precision than can be done by the tenses and moods in their simple form. Thus, the sentence, "I am writing an exercise; when I shall have finished it I shall read it to the class." has no meaning without the principal verbs writing, finished read; but the meaning is rendered more definite, especially with regard to time, by the auxiliary ( or helping) verbs am, have, shall.
 

Helping Verbs

There are many auxiliary or helping verbs: Be, have, am, are, is, was, were, has, had, do, shall, will, may, can, ought, and must. They are called helping verbs, because it is by their aid the compound tenses are formed.

List of Helping Verbs

The following table details a list of helping verbs:
 

List of Helping Verbs
amisare
waswerebe
beingbeenhave
hashaddo
doesdidcan
couldmaymight
mustwillshould
wouldought toused to
List of Helping Verbs

 

The helping verb "To Be"

The verb 'To Be' is the most important of the auxiliary or helping verbs. It originally had eleven parts: am, art, is, are, was, wast, were, wert; be, being and been although some are no longer used in the modern English language.

Examples Help - Understanding the Different Helping Verbs!

Understanding the different types of helping verbs is a basic requirement of the English language. We hope the above information will be of some assistance.

  • English Grammar
  • Types of Helping Verbs - Be, have, do, shall, will, may, can, ought, and must
  • Definition, List and Examples
  • English Grammar
  • What are Helping Verbs? List, Examples, Meaning and Definition
  • The helping verb "To Be"
  • Definitions, list, samples and examples of different English Grammar and Types of Helping Verbs
  • Examples Help!

Helping Verbs

Examples - Samples - List - Lists - Types - Online - Verb Tenses - Definition and Meaning - Auxiliary - Examples - Samples - List - Lists - Types - Online - Verb Tenses - Definition and Meaning - Auxiliary - Written By Linda Alchin