AUXILLIARY (HELPING) VERBS

Grammar Review: Unit 5 Duration: 1 Hour

Noticing Task 1

Read the conversation between two sisters , then answer the questions which follow.

1 Yara Jane, you are always dropping something!2 Jane (Sheepishly) I know, I seem to be all thumbs this week.3 Yara Are you still thinking about the results of your exams?4 Jane I guess I am. Dad is going to be angry.5 Yara Well, you should have been studying that week but

instead, you kept on going out with your friends.6 Jane I agree with you. I would not have failed my exams if I

just spent more time studying.7 Yara There is nothing you can do about your exams now.

Instead, focus on how you can improve your grades in the future.

In line 5, what does Yara tell Jane she should have been doing?In line 7, what does Yara tell Jane she should do?

Language Focus

Auxilliary Verbs•What are verbs?

! Remember, verbs are action or state of being words.

Ex. The boy kicked the ball. (action)Ex. The book is interesting. (state of being)

Auxiliary verbs are sometimes called helping verbs because they help us conjugate other verbs (change a verb from its basic form). They are also used when making negative statements or asking questions with other verbs.

Ex. I did not see Ali yesterday. (negative)Ex. Can you please close the door? (Asking a question)

Auxiliary verbs are also used to express shades of time and mood (what the speaker thinks about something).

Ex. I was studying for the Math exam yesterday. (time—Past Progressive)Ex. I do not like apples. (mood)

Usage 2.1

Do, Does & Did•! Remember

It is also common to use do, does and did as auxiliary verbs (or helping verbs) together with another verb in its base form to make negative sentences, ask questions, or for adding emphasis.

• Make negative sentences with don’t, doesn’t and didn’t

Ex. I didn’t sleep early.Ex. Your friends didn’t get the e-mail.

• Use do, does and did to add emphasis in the same way you answer a question. To do this, place do, did or does before the main verb.

Ex. I do play the guitar.Ex. I did get to class on time yesterday.Ex. My brother does need help with his homework.

Rules 2.1

1. Rule 1. Follow the structure below when forming negative statements with Do, Does & Did.

Usage 2.2

Do, Does & Did• Yes/No Questions with Do, Does, & Did

To make a question that can be answered with a yes or no, start the question with Do, Does or Did, (Doesn’t, Don’t, Didn’t for a negative question) + subject (the person or thing that does the action) + base form of the verb + the rest of the sentence.

Ex. Do you remember Ali’s message? (positive)Ex. Don’t you remember the agreement we had? (negative)

•You may add a one-word time expression, such as always, usually, or often between the subject and the verb.

Ex. Do you always take the bus?

•You may use a negative question with a time expression such as ‘ever’.

Ex. Does she ever remember her appointments? (Shows she never remember appointments)

Rules 2.2

1. Rule 1. Follow the structure below when forming Yes/No questions with Do, Does & Did.

Quick Practice 1

Direction: Write Yes/No questions with the these words.1. they/study (present tense) / biology at school

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2. your grandfather/ come (past tense) / here from Spain in the 1900s

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3. Andrew/ have (present tense) / a twin brother

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4. he / want (present tense) / go to Ireland next week

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Usage 2.3

Do, Does & Did• Wh-questions (information) with Do, Does and Did

Wh- questions are questions that require more information in their answers. Typical wh- words are what, where, when, why, who, how, how many, how much.

Ex. What does it take to succeed at PYD?Ex. How do you fix this problem?Ex. Who did you see for that?Ex. Why did Hussain do that kind of thing?

Note:In Simple Present and in Simple Past, the main verb is in base form, as in the examples above: travel, come, succeed, fix, see, and do.

Rules 2.3

1. Rule 1. Follow the structure below when forming Information (W&H) questions with Do, Does & Did.

Quick Practice 2

cats

Noticing Task 3

Read the statements below , then answer the questions which follow.

What does Ali say he can do?What does Yousef say he now understands?

Ali: “I can get the pizza for us.

I'm very hungry!”

Yousef: “I can now

understand why polar

bears need thick coats!

Usage 3.1

The modal auxiliary Can is used to:

• Express ability (in the sense of being able to do something or knowing how to do something).

Ex. He can speak Spanish, but he can't write it very well.

• Express permission (in the sense of being allowed or permitted to do something).

Ex. Can I talk to my friends in the library waiting room? (Note that can is less formal than may. Also, some writers will object to the use of can in this context.).

•Express theoretical possibility

Ex. American automobile makers can make better cars if they think there's a profit in it.

Rule 3. 1

The modal auxiliary Can• Expressing ability

Structure: Subject + can + base form of verb + the rest of the sentence

Ex. She can recite the Holy Quran by memory.

• Expressing permission

Structure: Can + Subject + main verb + the rest of the sentence.

Ex. Can Hannah come to you later to discuss the project?

•Expressing theoretical possibility

Structure: Subject + can + base form of verb + if statement

Ex. I can bake a cake if I have all the ingredients.

Quick Practice 3Direction: Look at the pictures and write what people can or can’t do.

1. _______________________________________________ (Abner, play football)

2. _______________________________________________ (Alice, skate)

3. _______________________________________________ (Tom and Tim, play chess)

4. _______________________________________________ (John, run fast)

5. _______________________________________________ (Peter, draw)

Usage 4

Modal auxiliary verbs May and Must• Use may for granting or seeking permission.

Ex. May I go to the washroom? (Seeking permission- present)Ex. I may let you leave early if you finish your chores. (Granting permission- future)

• Use may to express possibility.

Ex. She may be my advisor next semester. (future)

• "Must" is most commonly used to express certainty.

Ex. You've been driving all day. You must be exhausted!

• Use must to express necessity or strong recommendation.

Ex. You must take some time off and get some rest.

• Use must not to prohibit an action (although this sounds very severe; speakers prefer to use softer modal verbs such as "should not" or "ought not" to dissuade rather than prohibit.)

Ex. Ali, you must not play in the street!

Quick Practice 4

Speaking Activity: In pairs, choose one of the tasks below and create a dialogue with your partner. Check for grammar and vocabulary accuracy and then present in front of the class.

1. Create a dialogue with your partner, use should and shouldn t.

2. With your partner, present a dialogue using negative sentences using don’t, doesn’t and didn’t .

3. Use may to ask for permission or express possibilities in a dialogue with your partner.

4. Use must to give an advice or strong recommendation to your partner about his/her bad habit.

5. Use must to describe a time when you prohibited your younger sibling from doing something. Tell your partner’s story to the class.