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Unit 51 · Questions and auxiliary verbs

Auxiliary verbs (have/do/can etc.) I think so / I hope so etc.

Study

A

In these sentences there is an auxiliary verb and a main verb:

I have lost my keys.
She can't come to the party.
The hotel was built ten years ago.
Why do you want to go home?

In these examples have/can't/was/do are auxiliary (= helping) verbs.

You can use an auxiliary verb when you don’t want to repeat something:

›

'Have you locked the door?' 'Yes, I have.' (= I have locked the door)

›

Gary wasn’t working, but Laura was. (= Laura was working)

›

Jessica could lend me the money, but she won’t. (= she won’t lend me the money)

We use do/does/did for the present and past simple:

›

'Do you like onions?' 'Yes, I do.' (= I like onions)

›

'Does Simon live in London?' 'He did, but he doesn’t any more.'

You can use auxiliary verbs to deny what somebody says (= say it is not true):

›

'You’re sitting in my place.' 'No, I’m not.' (= I’m not sitting in your place)

›

'You didn’t lock the door before you left.' 'Yes, I did.' (= I locked the door)

B

We use have you? / isn’t she? / are they? etc. to show that we are interested in what somebody has said, or to show surprise:

›

'I’ve just seen Steven.' 'Oh, have you? How is he?'

›

'Lisa isn’t very well today.' 'Isn’t she? What’s wrong with her?'

›

'It rained every day during our holiday.' 'Did it? What a shame!'

›

'James and Tanya are getting married.' 'Are they? Really?'

C

We use auxiliary verbs with so and neither:

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'I’m tired.' 'So am I.' (= I’m tired too)

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'I never read newspapers.' 'Neither do I.' (= I never read newspapers either)

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Sarah can’t drive and neither can Mark.

Note the word order after so and neither (verb before subject):

›

I passed the exam and so did Paul. (not so Paul did)

Instead of neither, you can use nor. You can also use not … either:

›

'I don’t know.' 'Neither do I.' or 'Nor do I.' or 'I don’t either.'

D

You can say I think so / I suppose so etc. when we don’t want to repeat something:

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'Are those people Korean?' 'I think so.' (= I think they are Korean)

›

'Is Kate working tomorrow?' 'I suppose so.' (= I suppose she is working tomorrow)

›

'Will you be at home this evening?' 'I expect so.' (= I expect I’ll be at home …)

In the same way we say: I hope so, I guess so and I’m afraid so.

The usual negative forms are:

I think so / I expect so → I don’t think so / I don’t expect so
I hope so / I’m afraid so → I hope not / I’m afraid not
I guess so / I suppose so → I guess not / I suppose not
›

'Is that woman American?' 'I think so. / I don’t think so.'

›

'Do you think it will rain?' 'I hope so. / I hope not.' (not I don’t hope so)

Exercises (4)

0/4 exercises checked
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51.1

Complete each sentence with an auxiliary verb (do/was/could/might etc.). Sometimes the verb must be negative (don’t/wasn’t etc.).

  1. 1
    I wasn’t tired, but my friends .example
  2. 2
    I like hot weather, but Ann .
  3. 3
    'Is Andy here?' 'He five minutes ago, but I think he’s gone home now.'
  4. 4
    I haven’t travelled much, but Gary .
  5. 5
    Lisa said she might come and see us tomorrow, but I don’t think she .
  6. 6
    I don’t know whether to apply for the job or not. Do you think I ?
  7. 7
    'Please don’t tell anybody what happened.' 'Don’t worry. I .'
  8. 8
    'You never listen to me.' 'Yes, I !'
  9. 9
    I usually work on Saturdays, but last Saturday I .
  10. 10
    'Do you think it’s going to rain?' 'It . Take an umbrella in case.'
  11. 11
    'Are you and Chris going to the party?' 'I , but Chris .'
  12. 12
    'Please help me.' 'I’m sorry. I if I , but I .'
51.2

You never agree with Amy. Answer in the way shown.

  1. 1
    AMY: I’m hungry.
    YOU: example
  2. 2
    AMY: I don’t like driving.
    YOU: example
  3. 3
    AMY: I like football.
    YOU:
  4. 4
    AMY: I didn’t enjoy the film.
    YOU:
  5. 5
    AMY: I’m not tired.
    YOU:
  6. 6
    AMY: I thought the exam was easy.
    YOU:
51.3

Tina tells you something. If the same is true for you, answer with So … or Neither … (as in the first example). Otherwise, ask Tina questions (as in the second example).

  1. 1
    TINA: I’m not tired.
    YOU: example
  2. 2
    TINA: I work hard.
    YOU: example
  3. 3
    TINA: I watched TV last night.
    YOU:
  4. 4
    TINA: I won’t be at home tomorrow.
    YOU:
  5. 5
    TINA: I like reading.
    YOU:
  6. 6
    TINA: I’d like to live somewhere else.
    YOU:
  7. 7
    TINA: I can’t go out tonight.
    YOU:
  8. 8
    TINA: I’m looking forward to the weekend.
    YOU:
51.4

What do you say to Sam? Use I think so, I hope not etc.

  1. 1
    (You don’t like rain.) SAM: Is it going to rain?
    YOU: (hope)example
  2. 2
    (You need more money.) SAM: Do you think you’ll get a pay rise?
    YOU: (hope)
  3. 3
    (You’re going to a party. You can’t stand John.) SAM: Will John be at the party?
    YOU: (hope)
  4. 4
    (You’re not sure whether Amy is married, but she probably isn’t.) SAM: Is Amy married?
    YOU: (think)
  5. 5
    (Jane has lived in Italy for many years.) SAM: Does Jane speak Italian?
    YOU: (suppose)
  6. 6
    (You have to leave Sam’s party early.) SAM: Do you have to leave already?
    YOU: (afraid)
  7. 7
    (You’re not sure what time the film begins, but it’s probably 7.30.) SAM: What time is the film? 7.30?
    YOU: (think)
  8. 8
    (You are the receptionist at a hotel. The hotel is full.) SAM: Do you have a room for tonight?
    YOU: (afraid)