Auxiliaries
As the name implies these verbs have no independent existence as verb phrases, but help to make up such phrases.
Do is the most 'auxiliary like' of all auxiliaries. It serves as a dummy operator in negations and questions. See "do" under main categories.
There is however also a lexical do /'perform' etc.), which displays the normal forms of lexical verbs.
The modal auxiliaries are:
| non- negative |
uncontracted negative |
contracted negative |
|
|
||
| can | cannot, can not | can't |
| could | could not | couldn't |
| may | may not | |
| might | might not | mightn't |
| shall | shall not | shan't |
| should | should not | shouldn't |
| will | will not | won't |
| 'll | 'll not | - |
| would | would not | wouldn't |
| 'd | 'd not | - |
| must | must not | mustn't |
| ought to | ought not to | oughtn't to |
| used to | used not to | - |
| need | need not | needn't |
| dare | dare not | daren't |
1. Modal auxiliaries are all followed by the infinitive except with ought and used:
- You ought to come to our meetings sometimes.
- She used to play with cars when she was little.
2. Modal auxiliaries have no infinitives or past participles. (*to may, *is mayed)
3. Modal auxiliaries are not inflected in 3rd person singular.
- I may play.
- He may play.
* asterix is used to denote non-existing form or expression