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Unit 40 · Auxiliary verbs

I am, I don't etc.

Study

A
›

She isn't tired, but he is.

(he is = he is tired)

›

He likes tea, but she doesn't.

(she doesn't = she doesn't like tea)

In these examples, it is not necessary to repeat some words ('he is tired', 'she doesn't like tea').

You can use these verbs in the same way:

am/is/are
was/were
have/has
do/does/did
can
will
might
must
›

I haven't got a car, but my sister has. (= my sister has got a car)

›

A: Please help me. B: I'm sorry. I can't. (= I can't help you)

›

A: Are you tired? B: I was, but I'm not now. (= I was tired, but I'm not tired now)

›

A: Do you think Laura will come and see us? B: She might. (= she might come)

›

A: Are you going now? B: Yes, I'm afraid I must. (= I must go)

We don't use 'm/'s/'ve etc. (short forms) in this way. You must use am/is/have etc.:

›

She isn't tired, but he is. (not but he's)

But you can use isn't / haven't / won't etc. (negative short forms):

›

My sister has got a car, but I haven't.

›

'Are you and Jane working tomorrow?' 'I am, but Jane isn't.'

B

You can use I am / I'm not etc. after Yes and No:

›

'Are you tired?' 'Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.'

›

'Will Alan be here tomorrow?' 'Yes, he will. / No, he won't.'

›

'Is there a bus to the airport?' 'Yes, there is. / No, there isn't.'

C

We use do/does for the present simple (➜ Units 6–7):

›

I don't like hot weather, but Sue does. (= Sue likes hot weather)

›

Sue works hard, but I don't. (= I don't work hard)

›

'Do you enjoy your work?' 'Yes, I do.'

We use did for the past simple (➜ Unit 12):

›

A: Did you and Chris enjoy the film? B: I did, but Chris didn't. (= I enjoyed it, but Chris didn't enjoy it)

›

'I had a good time.' 'I did too.' (= I enjoyed it too)

›

'Did it rain yesterday?' 'No, it didn't.'

Exercises (6)

0/6 exercises checked
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40.1

Complete these sentences. Use only one verb (is/have/can etc.) each time.

  1. 1
    Kate wasn't hungry, but we .example
  2. 2
    I'm not married, but my brother .
  3. 3
    Ben can't help you, but I .
  4. 4
    I haven't seen the film, but Tom .
  5. 5
    Karen won't be here, but Chris .
  6. 6
    You weren't late, but I .
40.2

Complete these sentences with a negative verb (isn't/haven't/can't etc.).

  1. 1
    My sister can play the piano, but I .example
  2. 2
    Sam is working today, but I .
  3. 3
    I was working, but my friends .
  4. 4
    Mark has been to China, but I .
  5. 5
    I'm ready to go, but Tom .
  6. 6
    I've got a key, but Sarah .
40.3

Complete these sentences with do/does/did or don't/doesn't/didn't.

  1. 1
    I don't like hot weather, but Sue .example
  2. 2
    Sue likes hot weather, but I .
  3. 3
    My mother wears glasses, but my father .
  4. 4
    You don't know Paul very well, but I .
  5. 5
    I didn't enjoy the party, but my friends .
  6. 6
    I don't watch TV much, but Peter .
  7. 7
    Kate lives in London, but her parents .
  8. 8
    You had breakfast this morning, but I .
40.4

Complete the sentences. Write about yourself and other people.

  1. 1
    I didn't go out last night, but my friends did. example
  2. 2
    I like , but .
  3. 3
    I don't , but .
  4. 4
    I'm .
  5. 5
    I haven't .
40.5

Put in a verb, positive or negative.

  1. 1
    'Are you tired?' 'I earlier, but I'm not now.'example
  2. 2
    Steve is happy today, but he yesterday.
  3. 3
    The bank isn't open yet, but the shops .
  4. 4
    I haven't got a telescope, but I know somebody who .
  5. 5
    I would like to help you, but I'm afraid I .
  6. 6
    I don't usually go to work by car, but I yesterday.
  7. 7
    A: Have you ever been to the United States? B: No, but Sandra . She went there on holiday last year.
  8. 8
    'Do you and Chris watch TV a lot?' 'I , but Chris doesn't.'
  9. 9
    I've been invited to Sam's wedding, but Kate .
  10. 10
    'Do you think Sarah will pass her driving test?' 'Yes, I'm sure she .'
  11. 11
    'Are you going out tonight?' 'I . I don't know for sure.'
40.6

Answer these questions about yourself. Use Yes, I have. / No, I'm not. etc.

  1. 1
    Are you American? .example
  2. 2
    Have you got a car? .
  3. 3
    Do you feel OK? .
  4. 4
    Is it snowing? .
  5. 5
    Are you hungry? .
  6. 6
    Do you like classical music? .
  7. 7
    Will you be in Paris tomorrow? .
  8. 8
    Have you ever broken your arm? .
  9. 9
    Did you buy anything yesterday? .
  10. 10
    Were you asleep at 3 a.m.? .