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Using be, do and have as helping verbs.
Auxiliary verbs help the main verb express tense, aspect, voice, mood and other grammatical meanings.
The primary auxiliary verbs are be, have and do. Modal verbs form a separate class of auxiliaries.
She is working from home today.
Она сегодня работает из дома.
"is" is an auxiliary verb used to form the present continuous.
They have finished the project.
Они закончили проект.
"have" is an auxiliary verb used to form the present perfect.
Do you like coffee?
Ты любишь кофе?
"Do" is an auxiliary verb used to form a question in the present simple.
The primary auxiliary verbs are be, have and do.
Each auxiliary performs different grammatical functions and may also function as a main verb.
She is studying English.
Она изучает английский.
"is" is the auxiliary verb "be", used to form the present continuous.
We have seen this film before.
Мы уже видели этот фильм.
"have" is the auxiliary verb "have", used to form the present perfect.
Do they live here?
Они здесь живут?
"Do" is the auxiliary verb "do", used to form a present simple question.
Be forms continuous tenses, the passive voice and certain other grammatical constructions.
It also functions as a linking verb when followed by a subject complement.
They are building a new house.
Они строят новый дом.
"are" is used with the present participle to form the present continuous.
The car was repaired yesterday.
Машину отремонтировали вчера.
"was" is used with the past participle to form the passive voice.
She is very tired.
Она очень устала.
"is" functions as a linking verb rather than an auxiliary in this sentence.
Have forms the perfect aspect.
Perfect constructions describe actions viewed in relation to another point in time.
I have finished my homework.
Я закончил домашнюю работу.
"have" combines with the past participle to form the present perfect.
She had already left when I arrived.
Она уже ушла, когда я приехал.
"had" combines with the past participle to form the past perfect.
They will have completed the work by Friday.
Они закончат работу к пятнице.
"will have completed" forms the future perfect.
Do is used to form questions, negatives, emphasis and certain short answers.
It is not normally used as an auxiliary with be or modal verbs.
Do you speak English?
Ты говоришь по-английски?
"Do" is used to form a question in the present simple.
She does not understand the question.
Она не понимает вопрос.
"does" is used to form a negative sentence in the present simple.
I do believe you.
Я действительно тебе верю.
"do" is used for emphasis in an affirmative sentence.
Negative sentences are formed by placing not after the auxiliary verb.
Contracted forms are common in spoken and informal written English.
She is not working today.
Она сегодня не работает.
"not" follows the auxiliary "is" to form the negative.
They have not finished yet.
Они ещё не закончили.
"not" follows the auxiliary "have" in the present perfect negative.
He does not like fish.
Он не любит рыбу.
"not" follows "does" in a present simple negative.
Most English questions require subject-auxiliary inversion.
When no auxiliary is present, do-support is generally required.
Are you ready?
Ты готов?
"Are" comes before the subject in a question with "be".
Have they arrived?
Они приехали?
"Have" comes before the subject in a present perfect question.
Did she call you?
Она тебе звонила?
"Did" is used for subject-auxiliary inversion in a past simple question.
Auxiliary verbs are used for emphasis, agreement, tag questions and short answers.
Examples include I do agree, So do I and Yes, she has.
I do understand what you mean.
Я действительно понимаю, что ты имеешь в виду.
"do" adds emphasis to the affirmative statement.
She likes coffee. So do I.
Она любит кофе. Я тоже.
"do" replaces the repeated verb phrase in the short answer.
He has finished the work, hasn't he?
Он закончил работу, не так ли?
"has" is repeated in the tag question as the auxiliary of the main clause.
English verb phrases may contain more than one auxiliary verb.
Auxiliaries appear in a fixed order before the main verb.
She has been working all morning.
Она работает всё утро.
"has been working" contains two auxiliary verbs followed by the main verb.
They will have finished by then.
Они закончат к тому времени.
"will have finished" contains a modal auxiliary and the auxiliary "have".
The documents have been sent.
Документы были отправлены.
"have been sent" combines perfect and passive constructions.
Auxiliary verbs often replace repeated verb phrases.
This avoids repetition in coordinated clauses and short responses.
I can swim, and my brother can too.
Я умею плавать, и мой брат тоже.
"can" replaces the repeated verb phrase in the second clause.
She has finished the report, and I have too.
Она закончила отчёт, и я тоже.
"have" replaces the repeated verb phrase in the second clause.
He doesn't like jazz, but I do.
Он не любит джаз, а я люблю.
"do" replaces the repeated verb phrase "like jazz".
Be, have and do may function either as auxiliaries or as lexical verbs.
Their grammatical role depends on the sentence structure.
She is happy.
Она счастлива.
"is" is a main verb functioning as a linking verb.
She is working.
Она работает.
"is" is an auxiliary verb because it combines with "working" to form the continuous.
I have a new car.
У меня новая машина.
"have" is a main verb expressing possession.
I have finished the work.
Я закончил работу.
"have" is an auxiliary verb because it combines with "finished" to form the perfect.
Use auxiliary verbs correctly in questions, negatives and complex verb phrases.
Common mistakes include omitting auxiliaries, adding unnecessary do, incorrect inversion and confusing auxiliary and main verb uses.
Do you like this song?
Тебе нравится эта песня?
Do not omit the auxiliary "do" in a present simple question.
She doesn't work here.
Она здесь не работает.
Use "does" with a third-person singular subject in the present simple negative.
Are you coming with us?
Ты идёшь с нами?
Do not use "do" with "be" when "be" is already the auxiliary.
Have you seen my keys?
Ты видел мои ключи?
Use the auxiliary "have" to form a present perfect question.