Practice in Identifying Helping Verbs (or Auxiliary Verbs)

A helping verb (also called an auxiliary verb) is a verb (such as have, do, or will) that comes before the main verb in a sentence. This exercise will give you practice in identifying helping verbs.

Instructions

Each of the following 15 sentences contains at least one helping verb. Identify the helping verb(s) in each sentence, and then compare your answers with those on page two.

Keep in mind that more than one helping verb (such as has been) can be used in front of a main verb. In addition, remember that sometimes another word (such as not) separates the helping verb from the main verb.

1. My sister has promised to come with us to the Thousand Islands.
2. Sam and Dave will prepare a PowerPoint presentation for the class.
3. I must return to Yellowstone National Park to appreciate its significance and astonishing beauty.
4. We should read another book by E.B. White.
5. We should not waste our time watching TV.
6. My brother will be flying out of Cleveland tomorrow morning.
7. We have been studying all week for the final exam.
8. Katie has not been studying very hard.
9. My car was stolen by a couple of kids out for a good time.
10. I can help you tonight if you will drive me home later.
11. Thousands of people, braving the cold and the rain, had been waiting for hours for the band to show up.
12. Tony and his friends are bored with their lives, and so they are always looking for trouble.
13. I know that I must make a decision soon, but first I may ask my teacher for advice.
14. Marie could not start her car this morning, so she will probably not go into work at all today.
15. I have finished the quiz on helping verbs, and now I am going home.

 Below are the answers (in bold) to the practice exercise in Identifying Helping Verbs.

1. My sister has promised to come with us to the Thousand Islands.
2. Sam and Dave will prepare a PowerPoint presentation for the class.
3. I must return to Yellowstone National Park to appreciate its significance and astonishing beauty.
4. We should read another book by E.B. White.
5. We should not waste our time watching TV.
6. My brother will be flying out of Cleveland tomorrow morning.
7. We have been studying all week for the final exam.
8. Katie has not been studying very hard.
9. My car was stolen by a couple of kids out for a good time.
10. I can help you tonight if you will drive me home later.
11. Thousands of people, braving the cold and the rain, had been waiting for hours for the band to show up.
12. Tony and his friends are bored with their lives, and so they are always looking for trouble.
13. I know that I must make a decision soon, but first I may ask my teacher for advice.
14. Marie could not start her car this morning, so she will probably not go into work at all today.
15. I have finished the quiz on helping verbs, and now I am going home.