What is helping word?

Answer 1

Generally, a helping word is a verb that helps the main verb in a sentence. These verbs are also called auxiliaries or auxiliary verbs. Auxiliary verbs in English are formed from some parts of the verbs be, do, and have. The auxiliary verbs slightly change the meaning or time of the verb.

Here are some examples of sentences that have and do not have auxiliary verbs. The auxiliary verbs are in bold type so that you can see what they are:

I enjoy my job. (There is no auxiliary verb; the main verb is enjoy.)

I am enjoying my job. (The word am is part of verb be. The main verb is enjoy.)

I did not enjoy my job. (The word did is part of the verb do. The main verb is enjoy.)

I have always enjoyed my job. (The word have is part of the verb have; the main verb is enjoy.)

Some sentences have several helping words:

I have been enjoying my job. (The word have is a part of the verb have; the word been is a part of the verb be.)

English also has a group of words called modal verbs which can serve as auxiliary verbs. These are words like: will, would, can, could, may, might, shall, should.

Modal verbs can be used with a main verb or with other helping words to slightly change the meaning or time of the main verb.

Examples:

I will enjoy the movie. (Will is a modal auxiliary; the main verb is enjoy.)

I would have enjoyed that movie. (Would is a modal auxiliary; have is a helping word; the main verb is enjoy.)

Answer 2

A helping word, also known as a auxiliary verb, is a type of verb that is used in conjunction with a main verb to express various grammatical and syntactical relationships. Examples of helping words in English include "be," "do," and "have." They can be used to indicate tense, aspect, mood, voice, and other grammatical features.