English Auxiliary Verbs Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What are the three primary auxiliary verbs in English?

do, be, and have

What is the function of primary auxiliary verbs in English?

They serve a purely grammatical function and help convey verbal meaning.

What is the purpose of 'dummy-do'?

To form questions, negate sentences, and emphasise the truth of an assertion.

What is the difference between Progressive Be and Passive Be?

<p>Progressive Be indicates ongoing action, while Passive Be is used to form passive sentences.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many forms does Auxiliary Be have?

<p>Seven (be, am, are, is, was, were, been)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of Perfective Have?

<p>To indicate that the action/event was completed prior to some point of reference.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the defining characteristic of modal verbs?

<p>They express the MOOD, e.g. the opinion or attitude of the speaker towards what is being said.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three types of modality discussed in the text?

<p>Semantic, syntactic, and pragmatic modality.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who are some scholars mentioned in the text who classified modality according to their own standard?

<p>Palmer and Leech.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Pare's view on the two forms of modality existing in all classification types?

<p>They are most frequently used.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some traditional categories into which modal verbs are divided for language learners?

<p>Modals of possibility, certainty, ability, obligation, intention, necessity, politeness, willingness, permission, etc.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between epistemic modality and deontic modality?

<p>Epistemic modality refers to the speaker's knowledge, beliefs, or opinion, whereas deontic modality encodes notions such as necessity and possibility of acts imposed by social laws and obligations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is dynamic modality?

<p>It refers to the root meaning of 'can' (meaning ability and sensation).</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of modals of possibility?

<p>Can, may, could, might.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of modals of obligation?

<p>Must, have to, should.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between 'must' and 'have to' in deontic modality?

<p>'Have to' is more objective compared to 'must,' which is less objective. In spoken English, 'have to' is about three times as frequent as 'must' for expressing obligation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are auxiliary verbs in English?

<p>Auxiliary verbs are a set of verbs that are used in combination with a main verb to form different tenses, moods, voices, and to express various grammatical aspects.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many modal verbs are there in English?

<p>There are nine modal verbs in English: will, would, can, could, may, might, shall, should, and must.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the NICE properties of auxiliary verbs?

<p>The NICE properties of auxiliary verbs are Negation, Inversion, Code (verb phrase ellipsis), and Emphatic affirmation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of do-support in English?

<p>The function of do-support in English is to negate a modern English sentence that does not contain an auxiliary, by adding a form of 'do' to the sentence to support the negative particle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between primary and modal auxiliaries?

<p>Primary auxiliaries include the verbs 'do,' 'have,' and 'be,' while modal auxiliaries include the nine modal verbs in English.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are marginal modals in English?

<p>Marginal modals are a group of verbs that behave in some ways like modals, such as 'need,' 'dare,' 'ought to,' and 'used to,' and are called marginal modals by some scholars.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the syntactic role of auxiliary verbs in English sentences?

<p>Auxiliary verbs are always optional (in declarative sentences) and precede a lexical verb, whose form is determined by the preceding auxiliary, but which is always either a non-finite form: an infinitive (either a base-infinitive or a to-infinitive), an -ing form or a past participle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main classes of verbs and how do they differ in function and characteristics?

<p>Lexical verbs and auxiliary verbs. Lexical verbs are the vast majority of verbs in English and describe actions or occurrences or indicate states of being. Auxiliary verbs are closed class verbal items that help form tenses or expressions and have distinct syntactic and semantic features.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the diachronic origin of auxiliary verbs in English and how have they evolved from lexical verbs?

<p>The roots of auxiliaries can be traced diachronically to earlier stages in the development of English when they were not distinct from lexical verbs. However, there is little agreement on why or how such changes took place.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are auxiliary verbs an important focus of attention for learners of English?

<p>Because they are one of the idiosyncrasies of the English language and represent a small number of highly distinctive items with unique syntactic and semantic features.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the basis for recognizing verbs as either lexical or auxiliary?

<p>It is probably better to recognize verbs on the basis of their form, rather than their function. Lexical verbs and auxiliary verbs have different forms and characteristics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of closed class verbal items and how do they relate to auxiliary verbs?

<p>Closed class verbal items are a limited set of words that are not typically open to new additions in the language. Auxiliary verbs are a type of closed class verbal item that have a fixed set of items that help form tenses or expressions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of analysis in the following essay?

<p>The analysis of auxiliary verbs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the syntactic function of auxiliary verbs in English sentences?

<p>Auxiliary verbs have the function of helping to form tenses or expressions in English sentences by combining with present or past participles or with infinitive.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The auxiliary verb ________ is used to form passive sentences in English.

<p>be</p> Signup and view all the answers

The primary auxiliary verbs have very little meaning themselves, they serve a purely ________ function.

<p>grammatical</p> Signup and view all the answers

When there is no auxiliary present, auxiliary do (does, did) is inserted to form ________ and negate sentences.

<p>questions</p> Signup and view all the answers

The modal auxiliaries must be followed by a ________ infinitive.

<p>bare</p> Signup and view all the answers

Verbs need and dare sometimes behave like auxiliaries, and sometimes do not. In cases of negation and inversion, they can behave in exactly the same way as the ________ auxiliaries.

<p>modal</p> Signup and view all the answers

The verb that follows perfective Have is always in the ________ participle form.

<p>past</p> Signup and view all the answers

Auxiliary Be has seven different forms: be, am, are, is, was, were, ________.

<p>been</p> Signup and view all the answers

These are comprised of primary auxiliaries (do, have and be) and ______ auxiliaries

<p>modal</p> Signup and view all the answers

There are ______ modal verbs in English

<p>nine</p> Signup and view all the answers

Marginal modals are not frequent and different grammatical approaches use the term in different ______

<p>ways</p> Signup and view all the answers

A further group of words known as ______ is semantically related to modals

<p>semi-modals</p> Signup and view all the answers

Auxiliaries are always optional (in declarative sentences) and precede a lexical verb, whose form is determined by the preceding auxiliary, but which is always either a non-finite form: an infinitive (either a base-infinitive or a to-infinitive), an -ing form or a past ______.

<p>participle</p> Signup and view all the answers

Negation in English can be achieved by the placement of the negative particle not, or its cliticised form n’t after an ______ verb

<p>auxiliary</p> Signup and view all the answers

In various constructions, auxiliary verbs can invert with the subject, whilst lexical verbs ______

<p>cannot</p> Signup and view all the answers

Verbs have sometimes been characterised as 'doing words' or 'words of action' in some grammars. However, because many verb occurrences do not involve action (e.g. is, have, know, believe, think, hope), it is probably better to recognise verbs on the basis of their ______.

<p>form</p> Signup and view all the answers

There are two main classes of verbs: lexical verbs (e.g. think, know, say) and ______ verbs (primary auxiliary and modal verbs).

<p>auxiliary</p> Signup and view all the answers

The roots of auxiliaries can be traced ______, to earlier stages in the development of English when they were not distinct from lexical verbs.

<p>diachronically</p> Signup and view all the answers

Auxiliary verbs represent a ______ number of items which are highly distinctive both syntactically and semantically.

<p>small</p> Signup and view all the answers

Because they are one of the idiosyncrasies of the English language, auxiliary verbs are an important focus of attention for learners of ______.

<p>English</p> Signup and view all the answers

Auxiliary verbs are defined as ______ class verbal items which help lexical verbs form a tense or an expression by combining with present or past participles or with infinitive.

<p>closed</p> Signup and view all the answers

The analysis of auxiliary verbs will be in the ______ of the following essay.

<p>focus</p> Signup and view all the answers

Modality refers to the properties of verbs that express a speaker’s attitude towards the ______ of a situation.

<p>reality</p> Signup and view all the answers

Epistemic modality refers to the speaker’s knowledge, ______, or opinion.

<p>beliefs</p> Signup and view all the answers

Deontic modality encodes notions such as ______ and possibility of acts imposed by social laws and obligations.

<p>necessity</p> Signup and view all the answers

Dynamic modality was added to refer to the root meaning of ______ (meaning ability and sensation).

<p>can</p> Signup and view all the answers

In spoken English, 'have to' is about three times as frequent as 'must' for expressing ______.

<p>obligation</p> Signup and view all the answers

Compared with 'must,' 'have to' is more ______.

<p>objective</p> Signup and view all the answers

'Should' and 'ought to' are almost the same when they are used as ______.

<p>deontic modality</p> Signup and view all the answers

In questions, 'shall' and 'will' show ______ meaning.

<p>obligational</p> Signup and view all the answers

Many scholars classified modality according to their own ______.

<p>standard</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the primary auxiliary verbs in English?

<p>To convey verbal meaning</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the insertion of auxiliary 'do' to form questions and negate sentences?

<p>Do-support</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between progressive 'be' and passive 'be' in English?

<p>Progressive 'be' indicates ongoing action, while passive 'be' is used to form passive sentences</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the action/event being completed prior to some point of reference in the present, past, or future?

<p>Perfect</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the defining characteristic of modal verbs in English?

<p>They express the mood, or opinion, of the speaker towards what is being said</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three primary auxiliary verbs in English?

<p>Do, be, have</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between the use of need and dare as auxiliary verbs versus lexical verbs in English?

<p>As auxiliary verbs, they take a bare infinitive, while as lexical verbs, they take a to-infinitive</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the nine modal verbs in English?

<p>may, might, shall, should, must, can, could, will, would</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of do-support in modern English?

<p>To negate a sentence without an auxiliary</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between marginal modals and semi-modals?

<p>Semi-modals are not considered modals by some scholars, while marginal modals are</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the syntactic role of auxiliary verbs in modern English?

<p>They always precede a lexical verb and are always optional</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the strict restrictions on the possible grammatical orders available for auxiliaries?

<p>Auxiliaries can co-occur but have strict restrictions on their order</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of dummy-do in modern English?

<p>To support the negative particle in sentences without an auxiliary</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the NICE properties of auxiliary verbs?

<p>Negation, Inversion, Code, Emphatic affirmation</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between primary auxiliary and modal verbs?

<p>Primary auxiliary verbs are used to form tenses, while modal verbs are used to express modality.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of auxiliary verbs in English?

<p>Auxiliary verbs help lexical verbs form a tense or an expression.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the historical origin of auxiliary verbs in English?

<p>The roots of auxiliaries can be traced diachronically, to earlier stages in the development of English when they were not distinct from lexical verbs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between lexical verbs and auxiliary verbs?

<p>Lexical verbs are the main verbs in a sentence, while auxiliary verbs are used to support the main verb.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of primary auxiliary verbs in English?

<p>Primary auxiliary verbs are used to form tenses and to express negation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between dynamic and epistemic modality?

<p>Dynamic modality refers to ability or possibility, while epistemic modality refers to knowledge or certainty.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the essay?

<p>The analysis of auxiliary verbs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between epistemic and deontic modality?

<p>Epistemic modality refers to the speaker's opinion, while deontic modality refers to social laws and obligations</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three types of modality discussed in the text?

<p>Epistemic, deontic, and dynamic</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which modals are used to express possibility in epistemic modality?

<p>Can, may, could, might</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which modals are used to express obligation in deontic modality?

<p>Must, have to, should</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between 'must' and 'have to' in deontic modality?

<p>'Must' is more subjective, while 'have to' is more objective</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which modals are used to express ability in dynamic modality?

<p>Can, could</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the root meaning of 'can' in dynamic modality?

<p>Ability and sensation</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between 'should' and 'ought to' in deontic modality?

<p>'Should' and 'ought to' are almost the same when used as deontic modality</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most frequently used modal verb in modals of deduction?

<p>Must</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Auxiliary Verbs in English

  • The three primary auxiliary verbs in English are do, have, and be.
  • Primary auxiliary verbs have little meaning themselves and serve a purely functional purpose.
  • They are used to form questions, negations, and to express tense and aspect.

Function of Primary Auxiliary Verbs

  • The function of primary auxiliary verbs is to help lexical verbs form a tense or an expression by combining with present or past participles or with an infinitive.

Marginal Modals

  • Marginal modals are not frequent and different grammatical approaches use the term in different ways.
  • There are nine modal verbs in English.
  • Modal verbs express a speaker's attitude towards the probability of a situation.

Types of Modality

  • Epistemic modality refers to the speaker's knowledge, belief, or opinion.
  • Deontic modality encodes notions such as permission, obligation, and possibility of acts imposed by social laws and obligations.
  • Dynamic modality refers to the root meaning of ability and sensation.

Modals of Possibility and Obligation

  • Examples of modals of possibility include can, could, may, and might.
  • Examples of modals of obligation include must, have to, should, and ought to.

NICE Properties of Auxiliary Verbs

  • NICE stands for Negation, Inversion, Code, and Emphasis.
  • Auxiliary verbs have the NICE properties, which allow them to participate in negation, inversion, code-switching, and emphasis.

Do-Support

  • Do-support is the insertion of auxiliary 'do' to form questions and negate sentences.

Syntactic Role of Auxiliary Verbs

  • Auxiliary verbs always precede a lexical verb, whose form is determined by the preceding auxiliary.
  • Auxiliary verbs can invert with the subject in various constructions.

Historical Origin of Auxiliary Verbs

  • The roots of auxiliaries can be traced back to earlier stages in the development of English when they were not distinct from lexical verbs.

Difference between Lexical and Auxiliary Verbs

  • Lexical verbs are "doing words" or "words of action" and have a specific meaning.
  • Auxiliary verbs are a closed class of verbal items that help lexical verbs form a tense or an expression.

Focus of the Essay

  • The focus of the essay is on the analysis of auxiliary verbs in English.

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Test your knowledge of the three primary auxiliary verbs in English - do, be, and have - and their grammatical functions in various constructions with this quiz. Sharpen your understanding of their role as 'helpers' in conveying verbal meaning.

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