Learn English grammar with simple explanations, examples, memory tricks and beginner-friendly practice.
Learn helping verbs with simple explanations, easy examples, sentence rules, practice exercises, and beginner-friendly grammar learning.
Helping verbs support the main verb in a sentence.
❌ She reading a book.
✅ She is reading a book.
The word “is” helps the main verb “reading”.
Helping verbs usually come before the main verb.
“Helping verbs are verb assistants.”
These show state or continuous action.
These show completed actions.
These help with questions and negatives.
These show ability, permission, or possibility.
are
have
can
❌ He going home.
✅ He is going home.
❌ She are reading.
✅ She is reading.
A helping verb supports the main verb in a sentence.
Yes. “Is” often helps continuous tense verbs.
Yes. “Can” is a modal helping verb.