Topic 4 - Auxiliaries and Primary Verbs

auxiliary verb

A verb used with a main verb to form a verb phrase.

main verb

The verb carrying the main meaning of the verb phrase.

operator

The first or only auxiliary in a finite verb phrase.

subject-operator inversion

Putting the operator before the subject to form a question.

primary verb

BE, HAVE or DO; each can function as a main verb or auxiliary.

aspect auxiliary

An auxiliary used to form aspect: BE for progressive, HAVE for perfect.

passive auxiliary

BE used with a past participle to form the passive.

stative HAVE

HAVE expressing a state, e.g. possession, relationship or illness.

dynamic HAVE

HAVE expressing an action or experience, e.g. have breakfast.

question tag / tag question

A short question added to a statement, usually with opposite polarity.

emphatic DO

Auxiliary DO used in an affirmative clause or imperative for emphasis.

ellipsis / elliptical clause

A structure where an auxiliary substitutes for omitted words.

reply question

A short question showing surprise, interest or reaction to a statement.

structure of agreement

A construction agreeing with a statement, e.g. So do I / Neither do I.

negative imperative

DON'T + base verb, used to tell someone not to do something.

same-way question tag

A tag with the same polarity, used for interest, surprise or concern.

declarative question

Statement word order used as a question, usually with rising intonation.

rhetorical question

A question for which the speaker does not expect an answer.

echo question

A question repeating all or part of what was just heard.

subject question

A question asking about the subject; usually no DO-support in positive questions.

object question

A question asking about the object; normally uses an auxiliary.

indirect question

A question embedded in another clause; no inversion in the embedded part.

stative vs dynamic meaning

Stative describes a state; dynamic describes an action or experience.