What are auxiliary verbs, and how do you correctly use them in a sentence?
AUXILIARY VERBS – They are known as helping verbs, and they are used together with a main verb. Here’s how to correctly use “can/could” and “may/might/must.”
The main auxiliary verbs are be, do, and have, and we also have “will/would” and “shall/should,” which were already previously discussed. In this article, we will be discussing how to use “can” “could,” “may,” “might,” and “must” in a sentence. They are also called auxiliary verbs, and as much as we all know, they are also known to be helper verbs or helping verbs.
In terms of can and could, people sometimes use them interchangeably. Both of them are used to express ability and possibility and can also be used when asking permission.
CAN and COULD
| CAN | COULD |
| 1. used to express ability or being able to do something Examples: I can make you happy. She can’t help me with the chores. They can go to the wedding. 2. used to ask permission Examples: Can I wash your face? Can I leave now? Can I go to the bathroom? 3. used to make requests or suggestions Examples: Can I have more cheese? You can take this paper with you. You can do whatever you want. | 1. used to describe an ability that someone had in the past Examples: I could jump high when I was young. You could see the ship sinking. We could see the dragons flying. 2. used for asking permission politely Examples: Could I have another bite of your cake? You could sit here if you like. Could you repeat what you just said? 3. used for expressing a possibility Examples: This vacation could be helpful to your mental health. You could go to school tomorrow. This could be serious. |
MAY, MIGHT, and MUST
| MAY | MIGHT | MUST |
| 1. used for asking permission formally Examples: May I come in? May I ask a question? 2. used to suggest a possibility Examples: It may rain tomorrow. You may be late. | 1. used to express possibility Examples: The students might go home tomorrow. It might be bad weather later to go to the park. He might not come to the reunion. | 1. used to express a formal request or necessity Examples: I must go to the doctor. You must ask your parents first. 2. used to show something is likely possible Examples: She must be a fool to let it slip away. You must be tired after a long flight. |