Auxiliary Verbs

The English Verb System: 

The English Verb System Auxiliary and Main Verbs Primary and Secondary Auxiliaries Modality Modal Verbs Modal Auxiliaries Semi-Modals Periphrastic Expressions Catenative Verbs Operators

Which of the following are auxiliary verbs?: 

Which of the following are auxiliary verbs? I’m going now Do you like dogs? They should be here soon? We have to leave at ten. I want to see John tomorrow. I tried to avoid seeing Linda. All of these examples are catenative verbs, but only the first three are auxiliaries.

Auxiliary Verbs: 

Auxiliary Verbs What makes an auxiliary different from a lexical verb? SV inversion (eg It’s cold, isn’t it? Hardly had we arrived …. Can I see you a moment? Had I known… Neither do I) V + not for negation : don’t, shouldn’t, mustn’t Use in emphatic constructions : I do like ice cream Possibility of acting as a pro-form : I didn’t go but John did. Can be part of contractions : I’d like .. He doesn’t … The dog’s barking But hold on – isn’t this the definition of an operator? What’s the difference between an auxiliary?

Auxiliaries and Operators: 

Auxiliaries and Operators All auxiliaries can be operators but … …only the first auxiliary in the sentence acts as operator. So … He’s finished / Has he finished ? Have = operator He’s finishing now / Is he finishing now Be = operator He’s been arrested / Has he been arrested? Have = operator It will have been done by now / Will it have been done by now? Will = operator

The only exceptions …: 

The only exceptions … BE This always functions grammatically as an auxiliary, even when it’s a main verb. Are you ready? I’m not, but the others are. Not only was I cold, I was also hungry.

The only exceptions …: 

The only exceptions … HAVE Some speakers frequently use have as if it were an auxiliary even when it’s a main verb eg : PD James - As far as I know he hadn’t a key… I’ve a bit of a conscience about Ronald … (from Death in Holy Orders). Most people will use it in this way in “fixed” expressions: I’ve no idea I haven’t a clue I’ve a feeling that …

Primary Auxiliaries : Be, Have, Do: 

Primary Auxiliaries : Be, Have, Do DO “Empty” auxiliary used by verb forms without an auxiliary (Ist, 2nd and imperative forms) for grammatical functions which can only be carried out by the auxiliary.

Primary Auxiliaries : Be, Have, Do: 

Primary Auxiliaries : Be, Have, Do Have Combines with the past participle to form perfective aspect: I’ve lived here for ten years. I hadn’t realised that. Be Combines with the -ing form to form progressive aspect : I’m going tomorrow. I was waiting there for ages. And with the past participle to form the passive voice : David was stung by a wasp

Modal Verbs (Secondary Auxiliaries): 

Modal Verbs (Secondary Auxiliaries) How many modal auxiliaries are there and what are they? can/could; will/would; shall/should; may/might; must

Modal Verbs (Secondary Auxiliaries): 

Modal Verbs (Secondary Auxiliaries) How do all the modal auxiliaries differ from the primary auxiliaries? They have no : infinitive, gerund, “3° person”, or past participle forms. They are all followed by the bare infinitive And: They have independent meaning, and not a purely grammatical function.

What is modality?: 

What is modality? The easy definition … Expressions of permission/possibility/ability obligation/necessity prediction/volition Need to distinguish between modality and modal verbs : He’s bound to arrive soon We have to leave soon You’re not supposed to do that!

What is modality ?: 

What is modality ? A harder definition … Epistemic modality is concerned with the speaker’s judgement of the truth of the proposition. I think it might rain; John will be here soon Deontic modality is concerned with “influencing actions, states, or events” (Palmer, Modality and the English Modals 1990) You should see a doctor; No, you can’t go!; We must see that film. Both of these are therefore subjective, expressing the speaker’s ideas. Dynamic modality is objective – it refers to the subject of the sentence, not the speaker :Paula can’t swim; We have to be out of the room by 10.

Modal Verbs (Secondary Auxiliaries): 

Modal Verbs (Secondary Auxiliaries) To what extent do the Ist/2nd form modals express the normal notions expressed by 1st/2nd forms ? Consider : can / could may /might

Modals and Periphrastic Forms: 

Modals and Periphrastic Forms Must doesn’t have a second form. How does it make up for this and other “missing” forms? Have to – periphrastic form Which other modal has this option? Can – be able to

Semi Modals : Dare and Need: 

Semi Modals : Dare and Need Why are dare and need considered semi-modals? Consider the following sentences : You needn’t come back until August You don’t need to come back until August. I dare say United will win again. Do you dare to stand there and tell me that .. We didn’t dare speak. I daren’t tell him!

Semi Modals: 

Semi Modals Are used to and ought to semi-modals? Do they have infinitives, past participles, gerunds? How do they form the negative and interrogative?