Auxiliary Verbs
What Follows Auxiliary Verbs?
A. Auxiliary verbs followed by a verb ending in -ing or -ed:
The boy is flying a kite.The book was listed as a best seller.
The boy has closed the window
B. Auxiliary verbs followed by the basic form of the verb:
Modal auxiliaries, do in question/negative sentences, or emphatic do infinitivePaul may arrive tomorrow.
Do you like fish?
I do believe that he is right
He does not like playing cards.
Meaning of Key Auxiliary Verbs
A. Will: be willing to; intend to
I will open the door for you.I will be there at 8:oo.
B. Shall: intend to (formal); have decided to
Where shall we sit?We shall ask the committee.
C. May Can: be possible to do
Can fish live in the river?It may rain tomorrow.
D. Can Could May: be allowed to do
May I have one?You can take both of them.
E. Must: be necessary; be logically certain
Note: negative cannot/can't, must notIt must be her purse.
This step must be next.
F. Must Have to: be required to do
Everyone must be on time.They have to work late
G. Should /Ought to Had better: be obliged to do
You should call her.We ought to get there early.
H. Should have Could have p.p.: was not true; did not happen
She should have read the book.They could have won, but they didn't
I. Used to Would: did in the past
We used to talk every day.In the spring, I would plant flowers.
Source: Starter_TOEIC_3rd_Edition