Auxiliary Verbs Quiz
12 questions on English auxiliary verbs: choosing the correct auxiliary (be/have/do) in context, modal verb meaning, question formation and negative forms. B1 level.
This quiz checks how confidently you can apply Auxiliary Verbs at B1 level, with questions built around real forms such as was, have, Do, are and does rather than abstract rule statements. Each question presents a full example sentence, so you have to judge which form fits the meaning and structure correctly instead of recalling a rule in isolation.
If a question catches you out, the FAQ section below explains the underlying rule in more detail, including common mistakes learners make with this point. Reviewing the explanation immediately after an incorrect answer, then retrying the quiz on a different day, builds more durable grammar knowledge than repeating the same 12 questions back to back.
Auxiliary Verbs — FAQ
What is an auxiliary verb in English?
An auxiliary verb, also called a helping verb, works together with a main verb to build grammatical structures. The three primary auxiliaries are be, have and do. They help form continuous and perfect tenses, the passive voice, questions, negatives and short answers. Modal verbs such as can, must and should are a special class of auxiliary that add meaning like ability, obligation or possibility.
When do you use 'be', 'have' or 'do' as auxiliaries?
Use 'be' for continuous tenses and the passive (She is studying; The window was broken). Use 'have' for perfect tenses with a past participle (I have seen it; They had left). Use 'do' to make questions and negatives in the present and past simple when no other auxiliary is present (Do you understand? She didn't reply). Choosing the right one depends on the tense and structure you need.
How do auxiliary verbs form questions?
English questions are usually made by inverting the subject and the auxiliary. If a sentence already has an auxiliary (is, are, have, can, will), it moves before the subject: 'You are ready' becomes 'Are you ready?' If there is only a main verb in the present or past simple, you insert do, does or did: 'He plays tennis' becomes 'Does he play tennis?' The main verb then returns to its base form.
How do auxiliary verbs form negatives?
Negatives are formed by placing 'not' immediately after the auxiliary: 'She is not coming', 'We have not eaten', 'I do not agree'. In speech and informal writing these contract to isn't, haven't and don't. With modals you do the same: cannot/can't, must not/mustn't, should not/shouldn't.
What are modal auxiliary verbs and what do they mean?
Modal auxiliaries are can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will and would. They express ability (can swim), permission (may I leave), obligation (must finish), advice (should rest), possibility (might rain) and prediction (will arrive). Modals are followed by the base form of the verb with no 'to', and they do not change form for he, she or it.
What is the difference between 'must' and 'have to'?
Both express obligation, but 'must' usually shows an obligation that comes from the speaker's own feeling or authority (I must call my mother), while 'have to' often shows an external rule (I have to wear a uniform at work). In the negative they differ sharply: 'mustn't' means it is forbidden, whereas 'don't have to' means it is not necessary.
Why can't I use 'do' with 'be' or modal verbs?
'Do' is only needed when there is no other auxiliary in the sentence. Since 'be' and the modals are themselves auxiliaries, they already form questions and negatives by inversion and by adding 'not'. So you say 'Is she here?' not 'Does she be here?', and 'You can't go' not 'You don't can go'. Adding 'do' to these would be incorrect.
How do you make short answers with auxiliaries?
Short answers repeat the auxiliary from the question without the main verb: 'Are you coming?' — 'Yes, I am.' / 'No, I'm not.' 'Does he drive?' — 'Yes, he does.' 'Have they finished?' — 'No, they haven't.' This avoids repeating the whole sentence and is very common in spoken English.
Can 'be', 'have' and 'do' also be main verbs?
Yes. As main verbs they carry their own meaning: 'I am a teacher' (be = state), 'She has a car' (have = possess), 'They do their homework' (do = perform an action). The same words act as auxiliaries only when they help another verb, as in 'She is reading' or 'I have finished'.
Why are auxiliary verbs important for English learners?
Auxiliary verbs underpin almost every tense, question and negative in English. Mastering them lets you speak about time accurately, ask and answer questions naturally, and use modals to express attitude and meaning. Because these structures appear constantly, errors with auxiliaries are very noticeable, so targeted practice at B1 level pays off quickly in fluency and exam performance.