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Auxiliary Verbs Worksheets and Exercises

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Auxiliary verbs (also called helping verbs) are verbs that support the main verb in a sentence. They help express tense, voice, mood, or emphasis.

Common auxiliary verbs include forms of be, do, and have. In addition, modal verbs such as can, will, may, must, and should also function as auxiliary verbs because they modify the meaning of the main verb.

For example:

  • She is reading a book. – The auxiliary verb is helps form the present continuous tense.
  • I have finished my homework. – The auxiliary verb have helps form the present perfect tense.
  • She can speak French. – The modal auxiliary can expresses ability.

Practicing with exercises is one of the best ways to understand how auxiliary verbs work in everyday English.

Auxiliary Verbs Worksheets

Auxiliary verbs worksheet exercises for ESL learners practicing helping verbs be do have

Auxiliary verbs grammar practice worksheet with exercises for English learners

Common Auxiliary Verbs in English

The most frequently used auxiliary verbs include the verbs be, do, have, and a group called modal verbs. These verbs help form questions, negatives, different tenses, and passive structures.

Vocabulary IPA (US) Short Description
be /biː/ Main auxiliary used to form continuous tenses and passive voice.
am /æm/ Present form of be used with the subject “I”.
is /ɪz/ Present form of be used with singular subjects.
are /ɑr/ Present form of be used with plural subjects.
was /wʌz/ Past form of be used with singular subjects.
were /wɝ/ Past form of be used with plural subjects.
do /duː/ Auxiliary used for questions, negatives, and emphasis.
does /dʌz/ Third-person singular present form of do.
did /dɪd/ Past tense auxiliary used in questions and negatives.
have /hæv/ Auxiliary used to form perfect tenses.
has /hæz/ Third-person singular present form of have.
had /hæd/ Past form used in past perfect structures.
can /kæn/ Modal auxiliary expressing ability or possibility.
will /wɪl/ Modal auxiliary used to express future actions.

Related :Modal Verbs in English

Auxiliary Verbs Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in each blank with the correct auxiliary verb (am, is, are, was, were, do, does, did, have, has, had).

  1. I ___ not like spicy food.
  2. She ___ going to the office now.
  3. They ___ already finished their homework.
  4. ___ you seen my phone anywhere?
  5. We ___ watching a movie when the lights went out.
  6. He ___ not come to class yesterday.
  7. I ___ trying to learn English every day.
  8. ___ she know your secret?
  9. You ___ been a good friend to me.
  10. The children ___ playing outside right now.

Answer Key:

  1. I do not like spicy food.
  2. She is going to the office now.
  3. They have already finished their homework.
  4. Have you seen my phone anywhere?
  5. We were watching a movie when the lights went out.
  6. He did not come to class yesterday.
  7. I am trying to learn English every day.
  8. Does she know your secret?
  9. You have been a good friend to me.
  10. The children are playing outside right now.

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Auxiliary Verb

Select the correct option (A, B, or C).

  1. He ___ not like coffee.
    A. do B. does C. did
  2. I ___ reading a new book.
    A. am B. is C. are
  3. They ___ never been to London.
    A. have B. has C. had
  4. ___ you go to the gym yesterday?
    A. Do B. Does C. Did
  5. She ___ studying hard for her exams.
    A. is B. was C. were

Answer Key:

  1. B. does
  2. A. am
  3. A. have
  4. C. Did
  5. A. is

Exercise 3: Rewrite in the Negative Form

Rewrite the following sentences in the negative form.

  1. She is cooking dinner.
  2. They have finished the project.
  3. He was watching TV.
  4. I do like ice cream.
  5. You have met my brother.
  6. We are going to the park.
  7. She can speak French.
  8. They will arrive on time.
  9. He plays the guitar very well.
  10. I have seen that movie before.

Answer Key:

  1. She is not (isn’t) cooking dinner.
  2. They have not (haven’t) finished the project.
  3. He was not (wasn’t) watching TV.
  4. I do not (don’t) like ice cream.
  5. You have not (haven’t) met my brother.
  6. We are not (aren’t) going to the park.
  7. She cannot (can’t) speak French.
  8. They will not (won’t) arrive on time.
  9. He does not (doesn’t) play the guitar very well.
  10. I have not (haven’t) seen that movie before.

Note: When using doesn’t in the present simple, the main verb returns to its base form.
Example: He doesn’t play (not plays).

Exercise 4: Identify the Auxiliary Verbs

Underline or write down the auxiliary verb(s) in each sentence.

  1. We have been waiting for hours.
  2. She is studying for her test.
  3. Did you call your mom?
  4. They were watching the sunset.
  5. I do not agree with that idea.
  6. He has gone to the store.
  7. The kids are playing football.
  8. I had already eaten dinner.
  9. Does he live nearby?
  10. You have done a great job!

Answer Key:

  1. have, been
  2. is
  3. did
  4. were
  5. do
  6. has
  7. are
  8. had
  9. does
  10. have