An Auxiliary Verb is one which is used in forming the modes and the tenses of other verbs. The auxiliary verbs are do, be, have, will, shall, may, can, must, and sometimes need. Remarks on Auxiliaries. 1. The word auxiliary means aiding or helping. These verbs are called auxiliary verbs because they help to form the parts of other verbs. 2. Do, be, have, need, and will are also principal verbs when used alone. 3. Do, have, will, shall, may, and can, as auxiliaries, are used in two tenses, the present and the past. 4. Be is used as an auxiliary in all the modes and tenses in forming the passive voice. 5. Must and need are used in the present tense only. Defective Verbs. A Defective Verb is one in which some of the principal parts are wanting. Of the defective verbs, may, can, shall, and will have no participles. Must is used only in the present tense. Quoth is used only in the past tense. It is equivalent to said; as, "Quoth the raven, Nevermore." Beware, from be and aware, is used in the present tense, and mostly in the imperative mode. Ought is used in both the present and the past tense. Wit, in the sense of know, is used in the present infinitive; as, "To wit, namely." Most of the other defective verbs are obsolete. Conjugation. The Conjugation of a verb is a regular arrangement of its modes, tenses, voices, numbers, and persons. |