Transcript Auxiliary/Helping “Verbs” - Mrs. Palermo's 6th grade

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
• be
• 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?