We briefly mentioned the auxiliary verb when discussing the verb to be, however other verbs can function as auxiliary verbs and this means that they cannot create a sentence alone but requires the use of another verb and can help it to demonstrate various conditions, states or tenses. Lets look at some examples of this.

• When I got there, she had finished the lesson.
• After he arrived home, we had eaten dinner.

Auxiliary Verb Definition

An auxiliary verb is a verb that adds functional or grammatical meaning to the clause in which it appears, such as to express tense, aspect, modality, voice, emphasis, etc. An auxiliary verb is most generally understood as a verb that helps another verb by adding grammatical information to it.

Auxiliary Verb Examples

• Do: I do not feel like going out tonight.
• Have: I have just received his reply.
• Be: A model railway mart will beheld on Friday.
• Will: He will not play volleyball.

Auxiliary Verb Examples