List of English auxiliary verbs

Look up auxiliary verb or Appendix:English modal verbs in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

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