List of English auxiliary verbs

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This is a list of English auxiliary verbs, i.e. helping verbs, which include Modal verbs and Semi-modal verbs. See also auxiliary verbs, light verbs, and catenative verbs.

Primary Auxiliary Verbs

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  • be

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  • do

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  • have

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Single Word Modal Auxiliary Verbs

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  • best
  • better
  • can
  • could
  • dare

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  • need
  • may
  • might
  • must
  • ought

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  • shall
  • should
  • will
  • would

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Two Word Semi-Modal Auxiliary Verb Phrases

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  • be to
  • dare to
  • got to (gotta)
  • have to

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  • had best
  • had better
  • need to

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  • ought to (oughta)
  • would rather
  • used to

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Three Word Semi-Modal Auxiliary Verb Phrases

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  • be able to
  • be about to
  • be allowed to
  • be bound to
  • be forced to

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  • be free to
  • be going to (be gonna)
  • be likely to
  • be obliged to
  • be required to

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  • be supposed to
  • be unlikely to
  • be used to
  • get used to
  • have got to

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Category:English language

Auxiliary verbs