Introduction
Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, are essential in English as they assist the main verb in a sentence to form different tenses, moods, and voices. Understanding auxiliary verbs is crucial for the TOEIC test, as they frequently appear in both the Listening and Reading sections. Mastery of auxiliary verbs helps you comprehend complex sentences and express yourself more accurately.
Explanation
Auxiliary verbs include "be," "have," and "do," and they are used to:
Form continuous tenses: She is working on the project.
Form perfect tenses: They have completed the report.
Create questions and negatives: Do you understand the instructions? / He does not agree with the proposal.
Add emphasis: I do appreciate your efforts.
Modal auxiliary verbs, such as "can," "will," "must," and "should," express necessity, possibility, permission, or ability. For example:
You must submit the form by Friday.
Can you attend the meeting tomorrow?
Common mistakes
Omitting auxiliary verbs: Learners often forget auxiliary verbs in questions or negatives. Remember, Do you like coffee? not You like coffee?
Misplacing auxiliary verbs: In questions, the auxiliary verb should come before the subject. For example, Are you coming? not You are coming?
Confusing modal verbs: "Can" is for ability, while "may" is for permission. Can I leave early? should be May I leave early?
Tips for the TOEIC test
Pay attention to auxiliary verbs in listening passages, as they can change the meaning of a sentence.
In reading sections, identify auxiliary verbs to better understand the tense and mood of the text.
Practice forming questions and negatives with auxiliary verbs to improve your grammatical accuracy.
Mini practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct auxiliary verb:
She _______ (be) preparing the presentation right now.
_______ (do) you know where the conference room is?
They _______ (have) never visited the new office before.
Answers
is
Do
have