Compound verbs Compound verbs are verbs (or processes) made up of more than one word. For example:
She ran to catch the bus... She was running to catch the bus.... (Compound) She had been running to catch the bus,.. (Compound)
Auxiliaries An auxiliary verb is a helper verb. It helps to show tense, mood and voice. Auxiliaries are usually the first part of the verb (or process) in a compound tense.
Primary Auxiliaries: To be, to have These are used to make compound tenses. “To be” is used in continuous tense – I was / am finishing… “To have” is used in perfect tense – I had / have finished…
Don't forget the conjugations (spelling) of "to be" - I am, you are, he is, and in past tense -was, were.
Supporting Auxiliary: to do This is used for negatives and questions: I do not like sausages. Do you go to Woodville High?
Modal Auxiliaries: might, may, should, can, will, must, ought They are used to show possibility, doubt, necessity. Doubt: He might be interested… Should we really do that? Must we actually type everything out by hand? Possibility: He might be interested… We could try… Can you jump that distance? Might we be able to use your computer? May I go to the bathroom? Necessity: You must finish it by 3pm…. Must we actually type everything out by hand?
Note: There are some words which are not actually modal auxiliaries, but still show possibility, doubt, and necessity - e.g. have to shows necessity but isn't a modal auxiliary. "Ought" is an older English word and means "should" Auxiliaries in action: Auxiliaries can show tense (time): Past: The song was written. Present: The song is written. Future: The song will be written.
Auxiliaries can show plurality: Singular: The song was written. Plural: The songswere written.
Participles A participle is word made from a verb (going > gone, being >been) and used as an adjective or a noun. In English participles are also used to make compound verb forms (e.g. is going, has been ).
Present participle as an adjective: working woman Present participle as a noun: good breeding Past participle as an adjective: burnt toast
Infinitive/ Base form: to move to speak Present participle: moving speaking Past participle: moved spoken
The present participle is an -ing form, but the past participle varies. Sometimes it has the same spelling as the past tense, and sometimes it does not. Sometimes the easiest way is just to google the word: "to write past participle" or "to walk past participle".