Auxiliary verbs are very often used in contracted forms. These contracted forms are more informal than full forms and are therefore more common in spoken English. Full forms are usually preferred in formal written English.
- In the case of be and have, the contracted form can involve linking the subject and the auxiliary verb into a single form, for example e.g. I’m, I’ve, we’d, Sue’s (which could mean either Sue has or Sue is).
We’re back! (We are back!)
I’ve found it. (I have found it.)
They’d gone when I got there. (They had gone when I got there.)
Tom’s here. (Tom is here.)
The contracted negative form auxiliary + n’t is common with all the auxiliaries except I am, e.g. hasn’t, wouldn’t, don’t.
She isn’t (is not) trying.
We don’t (do not) live here.
He hasn’t (has not) seen it.
I can’t (cannot) come.
BUT
I’m (I am) not going.
In standard British English, the contracted form of am not, when it is part of a question, is aren’t I.
Aren’t I going to need some matches?
I’m getting a lift with you, aren’t I?
- Auxiliaries are used in sentence tags.
You had only just bought that carpet when the kitchen flooded, hadn’t you?
It’s Katie’s birthday on Saturday, isn’t it?
You are joking, aren’t you?
- Auxiliaries are also used to make a short addition to a statement, such as:
- a positive addition to a positive statement, accompanied by so or too.
I went to the park and Lucy did too.
I loved the film, and so did Finlay.
- a negative addition to a negative statement, accompanied by neither or nor.
My dad never eats mussels and neither do I.
I don’t want to speak to William now. – Nor do I.
I can’t understand it. – Neither can I.
- Auxiliaries can be used in positive sentences to give emphasis. When they are emphatic they are never contracted.
You have made a mess!
That was a nice surprise!
I am proud of Katie. She’s so clever.
In the present simple tense and the past simple tenses the appropriate form of do is used to show emphasis.
I do like Penny. – So do I.
We did have a lovely time.
- An auxiliary on its own can be used to give a short answer to a question. Whatever auxiliary is used in the question is used on its own in the answer. The main verb is not repeated. Short answers are very common in spoken English.
Do you like avocados? – Yes, I do. or No, I don’t.
Have you read anything by Michael Morpurgo? Yes, I have.
All opinions expressed on this blog are those of the individual writers, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of Collins, or its parent company, HarperCollins.
