Lesson

Auxiliary verbs - Have, do, can. I think so, I hope so

Auxiliary usage

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

Auxiliary verbs: have, do, can — + 'I think so', 'I hope so'

Auxiliary verbs (also called helping verbs) are used with main verbs to form questions, negatives, tenses and short answers. This lesson focuses on three common auxiliaries — have, do, can — and on short responses using 'I think so' and 'I hope so'.

  • Have: used to form the present perfect (Have/Has + past participle).
  • Do: used to make questions, negatives and for emphasis (do/does/did).
  • Can: expresses ability or permission.
  • 'I think so' expresses belief; 'I hope so' expresses desire or hope.

Table

Auxiliary verbs: forms and examples

Auxiliary Use Example
have (has, had) Forming present perfect / completed actions related to now She has completed the audit.
do (does, did) Forming questions, negatives, and emphasis in simple tenses Do you have the file? / I do want to finish this today.
can (could) Expressing ability or permission Can you access the platform? / He can speak three languages.
"so" responses Short answers expressing belief or hope about a previous statement Will the meeting finish on time? — I hope so. / Do you think it will work? — I think so.

Tip

Key rule: how these auxiliaries function

The most important thing to remember is the role each auxiliary plays:

  • Have: use for present perfect questions and negatives (Have/Has + past participle).
  • Do: use to form questions and negatives in simple tenses and for emphasis (do/does/did + base verb).
  • Can: use for ability and permission (can + base verb).
  • 'I think so' = belief or expectation. 'I hope so' = desire or wish.

Focus on form: auxiliaries stay before the subject in questions and before 'not' in negatives.

Example

Examples in context

Have you finished the report?

I haven't received the invoice yet.

Can you join the video call at 3 PM?

Do you think the client will accept the proposal? I think so. I hope so.

Tip

Common mistakes to avoid

Watch out for these universal errors when using auxiliaries and short answers:

  • Omitting 'do' in questions: incorrect: 'You like it?' (in contexts requiring 'Do you like it?').
  • Using the wrong auxiliary with third-person singular: 'He don't' is wrong — use 'He doesn't'.
  • Confusing main verb 'have' with auxiliary 'have': 'I have two reports' (main verb) vs 'I have finished the report' (auxiliary).
  • Placing 'not' in the wrong place: incorrect: 'I not have it' — correct: 'I do not have it' or 'I haven't got it'.
  • Using 'can' + to-infinitive (wrong): 'can to help' — correct: 'can help'.
  • Mixing 'I think so' and 'I hope so' — they are not interchangeable: one is belief, the other is desire.

Focus on auxiliary form (do/does/did, have/has/had, can) and word order for questions and negatives.

Quiz

Choose the correct sentence:

Hint: Think about the correct auxiliary for third-person singular questions.

Quiz

Complete: _____ you sent the contract?

Hint: Think about forming a present perfect question.

Quiz

Choose the best response to: "Do you expect the report tomorrow?"

Hint: Decide whether the speaker indicates belief (expectation) or desire (hope).

Key Points

Vocabulary

have

verb CEFR A2 //hæv//

Used as an auxiliary to form the present perfect (have/has + past participle) or as a main verb meaning 'possess'.

I have completed the financial summary.

Vocabulary

do

verb CEFR A2 //duː//

Used as an auxiliary to form questions and negatives in simple tenses and to add emphasis (do/does/did).

Do you have the project files?

Vocabulary

can

modal verb CEFR A2 //kæn//

Expresses ability or permission; used with the base verb (can + verb).

Can you access the CRM from home?

GrammarPoint

auxiliary

noun CEFR B1 //ɔːɡˈzɪliəri//

A helping verb used with main verbs to form questions, negatives, tenses and passives.

In 'Do you agree?', 'do' is an auxiliary.

GrammarPoint

present perfect

grammar CEFR B1 //ˌprɛzənt ˈpɜːfɪkt//

A tense formed with have/has + past participle to express actions with relevance to the present.

We have received the updated figures.

Expression

I think so / I hope so

expression CEFR B1 //aɪ θɪŋk soʊ/ /aɪ hoʊp soʊ//

'I think so' expresses belief or expectation; 'I hope so' expresses desire or hope about a positive outcome.

Will the client approve the contract? — I think so. — I hope so.