AuxiliaryHelping Verbs auxiliary just means helping WARNING Auxiliary

Auxiliary/Helping “Verbs” “auxiliary” just means “helping” WARNING: Auxiliary verbs do not function as verbs. They HELP the main verb.

Auxiliary/Helping Verbs (sing to the tune of “Jingle Bells” for a handy mnemonic) • will • do • been • would • did • am • being • should • does • is • has • may • can • are • have • might • could • was • had • must • shall • were

Auxiliary/Helping Verbs • help the main verb express action or a state of being • • can speak may be has been named should have been caught

Auxiliary Verbs Verb Phrase • A verb phrase has one main verb and one or more auxiliary verbs • Many people in Africa can speak more than one language. • The packages may be at 401 Maple Street.

Verb Phrase “Math” • auxiliary verb(s) + main verb = verb phrase • There may be more than one auxiliary verb in a verb phrase. There is only one main verb in a verb phrase. It is always the LAST WORD in the verb phrase. The main verb is either action (speak, named, caught) or linking (be). • can speak • has been named • may be • should have been caught

Auxiliary Verb or Main Verb? The highlighted words can function as main verbs or auxiliary verbs. Can you tell which job each is doing? • I am a teacher. • I am writing a letter. • We are hungry. • The girls are playing ball.

Auxiliary Verb or Main Verb? Your Turn! • Make your own examples using each of these words in two ways: 1) as a main verb and 2) as an auxiliary verb in a verb phrase. • was • does • have

Auxiliary Verb or Main Verb? Your Turn! was does • I was a track star. • I was running quickly. • She does the dishes. • She does hear you. • They have influenza. • They have been cured. have

Handy Tip for Verb Phrases • Sometimes a verb phrase is interrupted by another part of speech, like an adverb. In a question, the subject often interrupts the verb phrase. • Our school has always held a victory celebration when our team wins. • Did you hear Jamie Foxx’s speech?