What are Auxiliaries

An auxilliary is a helping verb. It is used with a main verb to form a verb phrase.

Example:-

He was eating Chocolates

Here the word eating is the main verb and the word was is an auxilliary verb. The words be, have, do, can, could, do (did, does, doing),have (had, has, having),may, might, must, are called auxilliaries.​

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Primary Auxiliaries and Modal Auxiliaries

The verbs be, have and do are often refered to as primary auxiliaries. They have a grammatical function in a sentence.

The rest in the list shared in the previous slide are called modal auxiliaries which are also known as modals. They express attitudes like permission, possibility, etc.

Use of can

General ability (present) I can speak English.

Ask for permission (informal) Can I borrow your book please?

To request something Can you help me please?​

Possibility It can get very cold there at night.​

Offer to help someone Can I carry these bags for you.

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Uses of Could

General ability in the past I could play the piano when I was younger.​

Ask for Permission (more polite) Could I use your bathroom please?​

To request something (more polite) Could you pass me the salt please?

Possibility in the past You could have broken your leg.

Suggestion (when asked what to do) We could go to the movies if you like.

​Conditional of Can (would be able to) If we had some oranges I could make you some fresh juice. (= would be able to)

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Uses of May and Might

Possibility

It might rain later so take an umbrella while going out.

Give permission

You may have another cookie if you like.

Ask for permission

May I borrow your pen, please?

Express wishes

May the New Year bring you happiness.

Speculate about past actions

She is late. She might have missed her plane.

Difference between May or Might

May or Might?

May and Might can normally be interchanged without a significant difference in meaning. However, Might often implies a smaller chance of something happening (When expressing possibility).

It may rain. (70% chance)

It might rain. (40% chance)

When expressing wishes or giving permission, only May is used.

Uses of Shall​

Random Guess

Shall I get a pizza for dinner tonight?

Offers/volunteering

That bag looks heavy. Shall I carry it for you?

Instruction (asking for or giving)

What shall I do with your mail when it arrives

Promises

You shall be the first person to know.

Confirmation (statement of act)

I shall meet your there at 7.

Uses of will

Rapid Decision

I’m thirsty. I think I will buy a drink.

Offer

That looks heavy. I will help you with it.

Promise

Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.

Threat

If you don’t stop, I will tell your mother.

Refusal won’t = will not

She won’t listen to anything I say.

Uses of should

Advice or Suggestion

Your hair is too long. You should get a haircut.

The situation likely in the present

Mary should be at home now. Give her a call.

Likely in the future (Prediction)

They should win tonight, they’re a better team.

Should + Have + past participate

Meaning: The subject did not fulfill their obligation in the past or did not act sensibly.

You should have given your boss the report yesterday when he asked for it.

Should + be + verb -ing

Meaning: The subject is not fulfilling their obligation not or not acting sensibly.

You should be wearing your seatbelt.

We should be studying for the test right now.