helping verb
/ˈhelpɪŋ vɜːrb/
noun
-
A verb used with a main verb to form a verb phrase and show tense, voice, mood, or emphasis. Helping verbs include be, have, do, and modal verbs such as can and should.
B1countable; also called an auxiliary verb
- "In “She is reading,” “is” is a helping verb."A2
- "The helping verb “have” forms the present perfect in “They have finished.”"B1
- "In questions and negative statements, “do” can function as a helping verb: “Do you agree?” and “I do not agree.”"B2
- "He will be arriving soon."B2
Common mistakes
- She can goes home.→She can go home.
After a modal helping verb such as “can,” use the base form of the main verb.