Helping Verbs
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(Modal Auxiliaries
e t s
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L rn!
Lea
Helping verb
● A verb that comes before the main verb in a sentence.
Together the helping verb and the main verb form a verb
phrase. It always comes in front of a main verb.
A helping verb is also known as an auxiliary verb.
{
subject + helping verb + main verb
can
could
may
Hank might come to school.
must
should
will
Ex.
Could you please open the window?
Michelle can play the piano very well.
11 12
10
9
helping verb meaning example
Helping Verbs (Modal Auxiliaries)
ability I can dance.
can
polite question Can you pass me the water?
past ability I couldn't go to school yesterday.
could
polite question Could you please help me?
possibility She may come tomorrow.
may
polite question May I help you?
11 12 1
might possibility It might rain.9
8
10 2
3
4
7 5
6
necessity
must You must get some sleep.
need
11 12 1
10 2
9 3
8 4
You should go 7
6 5
should advice
to bed now.
future I will go to school
will
happening with you tomorrow.
1
21 11
01
2
9
3
8
4
7
5 6
Would you please
would polite question
open the window?
be able to ability I am able to sing.
future
be going to I am going to sing in the class.
happening
necessity
has / have to I have to finish my homework.
need
past necessity I had to finish my homework
had to
past need last night.
e t s
’
L ractice
P
Put the words in the correct boxes.
[Example] rain / might / tomorrow. / It
It might rain tomorrow.
subject helping verb main verb
(modal auxiliary)
1 study / Joanna / harder. / should
subject helping verb main verb
Comment
ca va?
2 Doris / speak / can / French. Comment
ca va?
subject helping verb main verb
Comment
ca va?
3 can / close / You / the / door.
subject helping verb main verb
4 later. / snow / It / might
subject helping verb main verb
Comment
ca va?
Unscramble the words to create sentences.
Helping Verbs (Modal Auxiliaries)
Comment
ca va?
[Example] (must / Luc / see / doctor / a / today.) Luc must see a doctor today.
Comment
1 he / come / tomorrow? / Could / hereca va? 1
2
2 Benny / practice / should / everyday.
Comment
ca va?
3 You / not / the hallway. / must / in / run
3
Comment
ca va?
4 She / go / next / week. / will / surfing
4
Use the words in the box to complete the sentences.
might / might / can / do / can't / must / should / has to / would
1 The chef bake cakes, but she write poems.
2 I go to the library, or I go to the market.
2
3 Shawn was not at school yesterday. 3
He have been sick yesterday.
5
4 I go to the party tonight. 4
5 you like some more cheese?
6 Mr. Anderson work right now. 1
6
T r y M o r e
Complete the sentences using the words in the box.
must / might / could
A Hey, Ben! Are you coming to my house today?
B Yes, I am.
A __________________ you bring your Monopoly set?
I want to play Monopoly.
B Sure. I ______________ even bring my Playstation.
A That's wonderful!
B You ______________ remember to make some popcorn.
A Yes, I will.
Helping Verbs (Modal Auxiliaries)
Write 10 sentences using helping verbs.
1 (can)
2 (should)
3 (will)
4 (would)
5 (be able to)
6 (be going to)
7 (had to)
8 (might)
9 (could)
10 (have to)
