Helping Verbs in English: Complete List, Types, and Examples

Helping Verb: A helping verb is a word that works alongside a main verb to clarify or extend its meaning. These essential components provide grammatical structure, establish tense, and define the mood of a sentence. They are fundamental in forming complex progressive and perfect verb tenses.

Helping Verbs In English

In English grammar, a helping verb—often referred to as an auxiliary verb—is placed directly before the main verb. Together, the helping verb and the main verb form a cohesive verb phrase that dictates the action or state of being in a sentence.

List of Helping Verbs

Helping verbs are critical for precise communication. Common examples include: do, does, did, has, have, had, be, is, am, are, was, were, may, could, would, can, and ought to. Explore the detailed list below to understand their varied functions.

Examples of Helping Verbs

Examples help illustrate these concepts clearly. Consider the sentence, “Apoorv walks quickly.” If we adjust the tense, we write “Apoorv is walking quickly.” In this case, “walking” is the main verb, and “is” acts as the helping verb, placed immediately before the main verb. Below are further examples to deepen your understanding:

• I am having another piece of pizza.
• She is making dinner for us now.
• They are planning to go out of town.
• She was given the grand prize.
• We were pleased to be included.
• Will you be going?
• I’ve been running for over an hour.
• I have grown tomatoes before.

The bolded words in the examples above highlight how helping verbs support and refine the function of the main verb.

Types of Helping Verbs

Helping verbs are categorized into two primary types:

1. Primary Helping Verbs

2. Modal Helping Verbs

Primary Helping Verbs

Primary helping verbs provide essential support for tenses and negation. Notably, they are versatile because they can also function as the main verb within a sentence. This group includes the forms of “be,” “do,” and “have.”

Examples of Primary Helping Verbs

• I am having another piece of sandwich.
• Aruna is making dinner for us now.
• Kapil and his family are planning to go out of town.
• Nidhi was given the grand prize.
• They were pleased to be included.
• Will they be going?
• I've been walking for over an hour.
• I have grown potatoes before.
• Who has traveled to Sri Lanka?
• He had asked if he could take that pillow.
• I do find that act amusing.
• What did you eat?

The bolded terms listed above are classified as primary helping verbs.

Modal Helping Verbs

Modal helping verbs are used to express the speaker's attitude, necessity, or possibility. Commonly used modal verbs include Can, Could, May, Might, Should, Would, Must, Ought to, Have to, Used to, Need, Dare, Shall, and Will.

Example of Modal Helping Verbs

• Salmond can name all the U.S. presidents.
• I wish I could dance.
• I may leave the office early.
• I might eat pasta for dinner.
• I will read three books this weekend.
• Would you mind if I stayed at your house for a night?
• Who shall volunteer to lead the group?
• You should go home and study hard.
• You must follow instructions.
• You ought to serve your motherland.