Questions tagged [auxiliary-verbs]
Use this tag if you are asking about the usage of Auxiliary/Helping Verbs. Auxiliary/Helping Verbs are verbs that are used with other full verbs to make the different tenses, voice or modality in a sentence.
590
questions
0
votes
0
answers
25
views
the number of auxiliary verbs after "as" and "so"
I'm interested how many auxiliary verbs can stand after "as" and "so". By "how many" I mean one (e.g. "would") or two (e.g. "would be") or three (e.g. ...
- 20.5k
0
votes
1
answer
31
views
would(=insistence)
He would leave the house in a muddle.
He insisted on leaving the house in a muddle.
What's the difference between the former sentence and the latter sentence?
(Here, would of the first sentence means ...
- 96k
0
votes
2
answers
106
views
How to paraphrase 'would' in hypothetical situations and future reference?
I quote the following from two different sources:
1) a PDF file on 'would':
In hypothetical situations
You can use would to talk about unreal or hypothetical situations. These are situations that we ...
CommunityBot
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
48
views
might or might have been beheaded
Which form should be used? Why? Both are about past situations.
In ancient China, you might be beheaded for a casual remark about the royal family.
In ancient China, you might have been beheaded for ...
CommunityBot
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
48
views
What is the difference between 'to be' and 'for'?
I have a question about 'to be' and 'for'.
I drink water for healthy.
or
I drink water to be healthy.
What's the difference between both?
CommunityBot
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
33
views
would have + participle v.s. would + verb
I can't grasp the difference between their usages. Could you explain them over the following examples?
It was half past five. Dad would have finished work.
It was half past five. Dad would finish ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
60
views
Should I use was or were: It _ the eyes
The whole sentence is : it wasn't the face that scared me, it _ the eyes. What do I use in the blank?
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
48
views
condescension and can
We can talk about modal auxiliary verbs in terms of such logical notions as ‘permission’ and ‘necessity’ but, this done, we still have to consider ways in which these notions become remoulded by the ...
CommunityBot
- 1
2
votes
2
answers
258
views
With or without "would", what's the difference?
I have been struggling with the "would" for quite a long time.
I know most of the basic ideas of would. But there are too many "extended usages" that always confuse me.
I found this article from ...
- 293
0
votes
1
answer
35
views
the meaning of modal auxiliary verb 'would'
He was very ill at that time, but he would go.
His income was still small, but she would marry him.
At last she put her arms round the top, as far as they would go.
Are these sentences all barely ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
36
views
What does 'did' refer to?
What is your favorite color? Do you often wear fashion items in that color? As for me, my favorite color is green, but I felt it did not go well with my skin tone, so I used to avoid wearing it. One ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
3
answers
120
views
will have said VS. would say
ex) I can't think why he was willing to say that it was my fault.
Now, for the purpose of making a sentence to have the same meaning of the example sentence, I would like to use modal auxiliary verb '...
CommunityBot
- 1
4
votes
4
answers
1k
views
may(=possibility) vs. can(=possibility)
There is generally a difference between can and may in the sense of 'possibility'. Notice, for example, that in We may see you tomorrow, can could not replace may without a considerable change in ...
- 1,033
1
vote
2
answers
53
views
may(=permission) and general permission which has already been given
Can is used to talk about permission that has already been given or refused, and about things that are allowed by rules or laws. May is not notmally used in this way.
(from Practical English Usage ...
- 96k
4
votes
2
answers
482
views
Do you ever put stress on the auxiliary verb in AUX + NOT?
Do you ever put stress on the auxiliary verbs in do not, may not, will not, should not, etc. without contracting them?
If we take a look at don't, can't, won't, shouldn't, for example, the n't part ...
- 15.3k
1
vote
1
answer
41
views
would have you believe
a. This man will have you believe that the moon doesn't exist.
b. This man would have you believe that the moon doesn't exist.
Which of the above mean
This man wants you to believe that the moon ...
-1
votes
1
answer
22
views
the meaning of 'I would have tried to do'
"It matters little," she said, softly. "To you, very little. Another idol has displaced me; and if it can cheer and comfort you in time to come, as I would have tried to do, I have no ...
- 49.3k
0
votes
0
answers
18
views
paraphrasing of would have p.p
"I can't think why he would have accused me in court yesterday."
Can this sentence be paraphrased to "It's possible that he accused me in court yesterday, but, if he did, I don't know ...
- 93
1
vote
2
answers
219
views
Is Must really an Auxiliary Verb?
Can we use short answers as a proving method for modal verbs? The rule regarding the short answer to affirmative or negative statements is to repeat the auxiliary verb. eg:
"I can fly."
"So can I."
"...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
33
views
the meaning of will have p.p
When we want to indicate that we think a past situation (seen from a present viewpoint) is certain, we use will(or won't) have + past particle:
ex1) As you will have noticed, he has cut off his beard....
- 49.3k
0
votes
0
answers
47
views
inversion without an auxiliary VS inversion with an auxiliary
I know that if a sentence has a negative connotation, inversion must have an auxiliary.
But if a sentence doesn't have a negative connotation, there is example №4a with an auxiliary and there are ...
- 2,597
7
votes
3
answers
2k
views
What's the difference between "Was this supposed to be...” and “Wasn't this supposed to be…"?
Was this supposed to be ‘cupboard’ instead of ‘cupbard’?
Wasn’t this supposed to be ‘cupboard’ instead of ‘cupbard’?
I was asking about a spelling error and I was confused if I should use "was&...
- 931
0
votes
2
answers
94
views
Repeating HAVE twice in one sentence
I was wondering which one of these sentences is correct:
I am happy to have successfully completed the certification course by the Chamber of Commerce and acquired a certification in XYZ.
or
I am ...
CommunityBot
- 1
-2
votes
1
answer
38
views
I knew I would enjoy the music. or I knew I should enjoy the music
I knew I would enjoy the music.
I knew I should enjoy the music.
Is there any difference between them?
My dictionary says 'should' is used in BrE in case of I or We though 'would' is used in AmE all ...
- 202k
0
votes
1
answer
27
views
Would [past habit]
Can we omit using "would" again if there are several actions in a sentence.
Ex. "In the first place upon coming home he would lock himself in his room, [would] grab a book and [would] read it for ...
- 5,005
2
votes
1
answer
157
views
Why "the reason being is" not just "the reason is"?
Source: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/why-start-digital-marketing-agency/385300/#close
Is a digital marketing agency a good business?
Building out a digital marketing agency is far more ...
0
votes
1
answer
47
views
What is the difference between these two uses of the word, "having”?
What is the difference between the word “having” in the following two sentences:
Having accepted her mistake, the judge pardoned her.
I am having a good time.
Talking of the auxiliary and lexical ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
33
views
"as were" is it inverted or something else?
Dildos and other sexual aids are frequently mentioned in ancient
literature and depicted on pottery, while didactic sex manuals were
popular, as were more general advice books such as the Ars Amatoria
...
- 26.2k
0
votes
0
answers
23
views
can, could, may or might?
I need to explain what a time capsule is or how to make one. Should I say: "a time capsule can / could / may / might be any kind of box: a metal box, a wooden box or a cardboard box ..." I ...
- 947
1
vote
2
answers
36
views
were promoted vs were being promoted
I have to fill the following sentence with one suitable word.
The sentence is:
The proposed delistings are ..... promoted by the US interior Secretary to counter a growing feeling among the ...
- 40.8k
0
votes
2
answers
114
views
a Good Teacher not only Teaches: is it Correct?
"A good teacher not only teaches students how to do well on tests; a good teacher fosters curiosity and excitement to learn in her students."
Is this sentence grammatically correct? I saw it ...
- 116
0
votes
0
answers
44
views
He would seem to be getting better vs. He seems to be getting better
He would seem to be getting better. vs. He seems to be getting better.
I feel the 'would seem' is a rather 'round about' or 'long-winded' way.
If you are native English speakers, what would be your ...
- 4,142
1
vote
0
answers
187
views
auxiliary verb after "and"
Shall we use the auxiliary verb again after "and" as in the following case?
The data has been collected and has been proved to be significant.
or
The data has been collected and proved to ...
- 15.3k
1
vote
1
answer
52
views
Difference between "would" and "would have"
At his age the thought of travelling abroad alone would never ........... my mind.
cross
have crossed
Which one is correct? Are both possible here?
- 59
14
votes
5
answers
83k
views
Help explaining "Where am I?" vs "...where I am"
I would like to explain to a non-native girlfriend that it's correct to say "Where am I?" on its own as a question, but if you want to say "Can you guess where I am?" or "Do you know where I am?" or "...
- 26.2k
-1
votes
1
answer
50
views
Verb to be repetition in Yes/No questions
All,
Why don't we repeat is or are in questions starting with is or are (verb to be)? for example:
Is it (is) your glass?
Are you (are) taller than me?
How does it sound grammatically? Also, Does it ...
- 40.8k
1
vote
1
answer
22
views
What we're learning now *is/are* gerunds
Which auxiliary is to be used? Maybe both can be?
My research: I have already asked lots of questions like this one, but none of those have been able to make this specific question clear to me.
What ...
- 12.1k
0
votes
1
answer
23
views
how to use "not only, but also"
Tom plays the guitar very well. He is good at singing, too. In this case, which of the following would be correct?
Tom not only plays the guitar very well but also sings very well.
Tom doesn't only ...
- 73.7k
0
votes
1
answer
21
views
The more denim was washed, the softer it would get. (time aspect of 'would')
The more denim was washed, the softer it would get.
The the sentence describes the past or is it a subjnctive mood which describes 'present situation'?
- 15.3k
0
votes
1
answer
17
views
Would it be all right if we left/leave a little early? (left vs. leave)
Would it be all right if we left a little early?
Would it be all right if we leave a little early?
What's the difference between the two sentences?
The only difference is 'left' vs. 'leave'.
- 202k
0
votes
1
answer
36
views
George speaking/George is speaking
Why don't we use any auxiliary when answering phone calls? Would it be wrong if I used the auxiliary?
▪︎ Hello, George speaking.
▪︎ Hello, George is speaking.
- 96k
0
votes
1
answer
27
views
"Does .. have to" and "have .."?
Are there equally grammatically correct:
Does it have to be like it?
Has it to be like it?
And
Do you have a bottle of wine?
Have you a bottle of wine?
Note that I haven't used used "got"...
- 202k
-2
votes
2
answers
217
views
Is there a difference between "has" and "is"?
In a English or American perspective of the difference because I sometimes have trouble making the difference is means a thing and has is owned but I sometimes have trouble making the difference
For ...
- 1,552
0
votes
1
answer
27
views
In what ways does/do soils differ?
Today I found the following question in a question paper
In what ways does soils differ?
My understanding is that the subject here in this sentence is soils, which is plural.
If the subject is plural ...
- 40.8k
1
vote
1
answer
39
views
different meanings of "would"
Do the three would's have the same meaning in the following?
a. A: Who's ringing the doorbell? B: It'd (= would) be John.
b. I think my swimming pool would hold 20,000 gallons of water.
c. If I ...
- 15.3k
14
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Why do we have to use 'have got' instead of 'got'?
I saw the sentence on the internet like this:
I don't know how much money he has got.
I think that
I don't know how much money he got.
is only possible here.
What is the difference between ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
90
views
"would" indicating probability?
Does the "would" in the following examples have the same meaning? Some say "would" has the "probably" meaning, but I am not sure if it applies here. Do these sentences ...
- 202k
0
votes
2
answers
35
views
"By the time you finish, she 'would' be asleep"
"By the time you finish reading her a book, she would be asleep."
I understand that we can use "will" instead of "would", but I'm curious whether "would" can be ...
- 49.3k
1
vote
1
answer
30
views
Why there is 'were' not 'was in this sentence? [duplicate]
from
the BBC
Advanced learners often automatically invert the subject and auxiliary verb after a WH word clause, as if it were a question.
'It' is a third person singular pronoun, why does 'were' ...
- 111
1
vote
2
answers
81
views
Modal Verbs: Should We Use the Second Conditional to Refer to Events That Remain Possible (but Are Unlikely) in Past Tense?
My question relates to hypothetical situations in the past; however, I am looking at it from a narrative perspective, where the outcomes of past events are presented as uncertain.
Traditionally, to ...
- 209