Verbs: Main,Primary,Auxiliary

A verb used in forming the tenses, moods, and voices of other verbs is auxiliary verb.
The primary auxiliary verbs in English are be, do, and have. (am, is, are,was, were, do, does, did, have, has, had)
Sometimes primary auxiliary verbs perform the function of main verbs when they stand alone in the sentence.
The modal auxiliaries are can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would.

The main verb is also called the lexical verb or the principal verb. The Main verb typically shows the action or state of being of the subject. Main verbs can stand alone, or they can be used with a helping verb, also called an auxiliary verb.


Go through the sentences given below and say whether the underlined verbs are main verbs or primary auxiliary verbs or modal auxiliary verbs.

1.I had a very simple upbringing.
2.I was immensely impressed.
3.I had learnt from my childhood that money did not mean everything in life.
4.He was a convent educated boy.
5.They did all the work in time.
6.I had to achieve a lot in life.
7. I was very thirsty.
8. I had carried with me.
9. We were lucky.
10. I was wearing a red scarf.
11. We had suggested hara-kiri.
12. We were overjoyed to see tiny green leaves.
13. How long shall we continue to live this life of contradiction ?
14. We must remove this contradiction at the earliest possible moment.
15. I don't know.
16. I can hear voices.
17. You would better go back.
18. Mrs Adis was sitting in the old basket armchair by the fire.
19. 'D' company was successful in occupying the eastern portion of Area Collar.
20. The Defense Minister was on his way to Amritsar.

Holiday Homework