List of English auxiliary verbs explained

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

• be

• do

• have

Single Word Modal Auxiliary Verbs

• best
• better
• can
• could
• dare

• need
• may
• might
• must
• ought

• shall
• should
• will
• would

Two Word Semi-Modal Auxiliary Verb Phrases

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

• had best
• had better
• need to

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

Three Word Semi-Modal Auxiliary Verb Phrases

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

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

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