Mastering the Art of Properly Using Helping Verbs

Language is a magnificent tool that enables us to express our thoughts, convey meaning, and communicate effectively. Helping verbs, also known as auxiliary verbs, play a vital role in constructing meaningful and grammatically correct sentences. They assist the main verb in expressing tense, mood, voice, and other aspects of the sentence. Understanding how to properly use helping verbs is essential for achieving clarity and precision in our writing and speaking. This essay aims to provide guidance on utilizing helping verbs correctly and effectively.

Choose the Appropriate Helping Verb

Helping verbs are versatile and can vary depending on the context and intended meaning of a sentence. Selecting the correct helping verb is crucial to conveying the intended message accurately. Common helping verbs include "be," "have," "do," and modal verbs such as "can," "may," "must," and "should." Consider the following examples:

- Progressive Tense: Use "be" with the present participle (-ing form) of the main verb, such as "I am studying" or "She was running."

- Perfect Tense: Combine "have" with the past participle of the main verb, such as "They have finished" or "He had eaten."

- Modal Verbs: Modal verbs express possibility, necessity, or permission. Use them appropriately to indicate the desired degree of certainty or obligation, such as "You should attend the meeting" or "She can swim."

Understand Verb Agreement

Helping verbs must agree with the subject of the sentence in terms of number and person. The form of the helping verb should match the subject in singular or plural, and first, second, or third person. Consider the following examples:

- Singular Subject: "He is reading a book," not "He are reading a book."

- Plural Subject: "They have completed their assignments," not "They has completed their assignments."

- First Person: "I am going to the store," not "I is going to the store."

Pay Attention to Verb Tense

Helping verbs play a crucial role in indicating the tense of a sentence. Ensure consistency in verb tense throughout your writing, and choose the appropriate helping verb to match the desired time frame. Consider the following examples:

- Present Tense: "She does her homework every day," not "She do her homework every day."

- Past Tense: "They had finished the project before the deadline," not "They has finished the project before the deadline."

- Future Tense: "We will be attending the conference next week," not "We will is attending the conference next week."

Comprehend Modal Verbs

Modal verbs express various degrees of possibility, necessity, ability, and permission. Understanding their meanings and appropriate usage is crucial for conveying the desired tone and intention in your sentences. Consider the following examples:

- Possibility: "They might arrive late," not "They can arrive late" (unless there is certainty).

- Necessity: "You must study for the exam," not "You should study for the exam" (if urgency is implied).

- Permission: "May I borrow your pen?" not "Can I borrow your pen?" (unless physical ability is questioned).

Maintain Parallel Structure

When using multiple helping verbs in a sentence, maintain parallel structure by ensuring consistency in tense, voice, and mood. Consistent usage of helping verbs enhances the readability and coherence of your sentences. Consider the following example:

- Correct: "She has been working hard, is taking classes, and will be attending a seminar."

- Incorrect: "She has been working hard, takes classes, and will attend a seminar."

Conclusion

Mastering the art of properly using helping verbs contributes to effective communication and precise language expression. By choosing appropriate helping verbs, ensuring verb agreement, understanding verb tense, comprehending modal verbs, and maintaining parallel structure, we can construct grammatically correct sentences that accurately convey our intended meaning. Regular practice and attention to detail will enhance our command of helping verbs, enabling us to communicate more effectively in both written and spoken language.

For more practice, download this FREE worksheet that goes over fragments and run-ons.