Helping Verbs worksheet for students to practice identifying and correcting helping verbs in sentences.
Worksheet titled "Helping Verbs" with 14 sentences for students to identify and correct helping verbs, featuring a cartoon illustration of a teacher and student.
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Helping Verbs Worksheets - 15 Worksheets Library
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Helping Verbs Worksheets - 15 Worksheets Library
Let's go through each sentence and determine whether the helping verb is used correctly. If it is correct, we'll write "correct" on the line. If not, we'll write the correct helping verb.
---
1. Frank has understand if we explain it to him.
- Error: "has understand" is incorrect. The auxiliary verb "has" must be followed by the past participle of the main verb.
- Correct form: has understood
- ✔ Answer: *understood*
---
2. Ed was made some new friends this year.
- Error: "was made" implies passive voice (someone made Ed), but the intended meaning is active ("Ed made friends").
- Correct form: has made or made — but since it's about a completed action in the past, "made" alone is fine. However, the sentence uses a helping verb "was", which is wrong here.
- ✔ Answer: *made* (or "has made" for present perfect, but "made" is simplest)
But note: the instruction says to use a helping verb. Since “was” is incorrectly used, we should provide the correct helping verb if needed.
Actually, "Ed made..." is simple past — no helping verb required. But the sentence uses "was", so it's incorrect.
So: "was" is incorrect → Replace with "has" (to make it present perfect) or just remove it. But since we're to write the correct helping verb:
If we want to keep the structure, better: has (for present perfect) — “Ed has made...”
✔ Answer: *has*
---
3. We did expecting Joan on the next bus.
- Error: "did expecting" is incorrect. After "did", we need the base form of the verb.
- Correct: did expect
- ✔ Answer: *expect*
---
4. If you can join us, please do.
- This is correct. "can" is a modal helping verb used properly.
- ✔ Answer: *correct*
---
5. Ki has learn to drive next summer.
- Error: "has learn" — after "has", we need past participle.
- Correct: has learned
- ✔ Answer: *learned*
---
6. Joe do play the drums very well.
- Error: "do" is incorrect here. This is a statement, not a question or negative. "Joe plays" is correct. But if using a helping verb, "does" is needed for third person singular.
- So: does play — correct form
- ✔ Answer: *does*
---
7. Does you think it will rain today?
- Error: "Does you" — subject-verb agreement. "Does" goes with "he/she/it", not "you".
- For "you", use "do": Do you think...?
- ✔ Answer: *do*
---
8. When you have finished, let me know.
- This is correct. "have" is used as a helping verb in present perfect tense.
- ✔ Answer: *correct*
---
9. I could do well on this test or I will fail.
- "Could" is used correctly as a modal verb expressing possibility.
- "Will" is also correct as a future tense helper.
- No error.
- ✔ Answer: *correct*
---
10. Had you decided which cookie you want?
- Error: "Had you decided..." is past perfect, but "want" is in present tense — inconsistent.
- The correct form would be: Have you decided which cookie you want? (present perfect)
- Or: Did you decide which cookie you wanted? (simple past)
- Since "had" is used, the sentence implies past perfect, but "want" should be "wanted" too.
- But more importantly: "had" is not appropriate unless there’s a prior past event.
- Best fix: Have you decided...? → so help verb should be have
- ✔ Answer: *have*
---
11. I will go out, but I don't have a car.
- "will" is correct as a helping verb for future.
- "don't have" is correct.
- ✔ Answer: *correct*
---
12. The new neighbors has been delightful.
- Error: "has" should be "have" because "neighbors" is plural.
- Correct: have been
- ✔ Answer: *have*
---
13. The dogs was barking all afternoon.
- Error: "was" should be "were" because "dogs" is plural.
- Correct: were barking
- ✔ Answer: *were*
---
14. Jim is expecting lots of presents.
- This is correct. "is" is a helping verb forming present continuous tense.
- ✔ Answer: *correct*
---
1. understood
2. has
3. expect
4. correct
5. learned
6. does
7. do
8. correct
9. correct
10. have
11. correct
12. have
13. were
14. correct
---
✔ Explanation Summary:
- Helping verbs include *be*, *have*, *do*, *will*, *can*, *could*, *should*, *would*, etc.
- They help form tenses, questions, negatives, and emphasis.
- Common errors include:
- Wrong verb form after auxiliary (e.g., "has understand" → "has understood")
- Subject-verb agreement (e.g., "neighbors has" → "have")
- Incorrect modals (e.g., "does you" → "do you")
- Always check the tense, subject number, and verb form.
Let me know if you'd like a printed version or explanation for any specific sentence!
---
1. Frank has understand if we explain it to him.
- Error: "has understand" is incorrect. The auxiliary verb "has" must be followed by the past participle of the main verb.
- Correct form: has understood
- ✔ Answer: *understood*
---
2. Ed was made some new friends this year.
- Error: "was made" implies passive voice (someone made Ed), but the intended meaning is active ("Ed made friends").
- Correct form: has made or made — but since it's about a completed action in the past, "made" alone is fine. However, the sentence uses a helping verb "was", which is wrong here.
- ✔ Answer: *made* (or "has made" for present perfect, but "made" is simplest)
But note: the instruction says to use a helping verb. Since “was” is incorrectly used, we should provide the correct helping verb if needed.
Actually, "Ed made..." is simple past — no helping verb required. But the sentence uses "was", so it's incorrect.
So: "was" is incorrect → Replace with "has" (to make it present perfect) or just remove it. But since we're to write the correct helping verb:
If we want to keep the structure, better: has (for present perfect) — “Ed has made...”
✔ Answer: *has*
---
3. We did expecting Joan on the next bus.
- Error: "did expecting" is incorrect. After "did", we need the base form of the verb.
- Correct: did expect
- ✔ Answer: *expect*
---
4. If you can join us, please do.
- This is correct. "can" is a modal helping verb used properly.
- ✔ Answer: *correct*
---
5. Ki has learn to drive next summer.
- Error: "has learn" — after "has", we need past participle.
- Correct: has learned
- ✔ Answer: *learned*
---
6. Joe do play the drums very well.
- Error: "do" is incorrect here. This is a statement, not a question or negative. "Joe plays" is correct. But if using a helping verb, "does" is needed for third person singular.
- So: does play — correct form
- ✔ Answer: *does*
---
7. Does you think it will rain today?
- Error: "Does you" — subject-verb agreement. "Does" goes with "he/she/it", not "you".
- For "you", use "do": Do you think...?
- ✔ Answer: *do*
---
8. When you have finished, let me know.
- This is correct. "have" is used as a helping verb in present perfect tense.
- ✔ Answer: *correct*
---
9. I could do well on this test or I will fail.
- "Could" is used correctly as a modal verb expressing possibility.
- "Will" is also correct as a future tense helper.
- No error.
- ✔ Answer: *correct*
---
10. Had you decided which cookie you want?
- Error: "Had you decided..." is past perfect, but "want" is in present tense — inconsistent.
- The correct form would be: Have you decided which cookie you want? (present perfect)
- Or: Did you decide which cookie you wanted? (simple past)
- Since "had" is used, the sentence implies past perfect, but "want" should be "wanted" too.
- But more importantly: "had" is not appropriate unless there’s a prior past event.
- Best fix: Have you decided...? → so help verb should be have
- ✔ Answer: *have*
---
11. I will go out, but I don't have a car.
- "will" is correct as a helping verb for future.
- "don't have" is correct.
- ✔ Answer: *correct*
---
12. The new neighbors has been delightful.
- Error: "has" should be "have" because "neighbors" is plural.
- Correct: have been
- ✔ Answer: *have*
---
13. The dogs was barking all afternoon.
- Error: "was" should be "were" because "dogs" is plural.
- Correct: were barking
- ✔ Answer: *were*
---
14. Jim is expecting lots of presents.
- This is correct. "is" is a helping verb forming present continuous tense.
- ✔ Answer: *correct*
---
Final Answers:
1. understood
2. has
3. expect
4. correct
5. learned
6. does
7. do
8. correct
9. correct
10. have
11. correct
12. have
13. were
14. correct
---
✔ Explanation Summary:
- Helping verbs include *be*, *have*, *do*, *will*, *can*, *could*, *should*, *would*, etc.
- They help form tenses, questions, negatives, and emphasis.
- Common errors include:
- Wrong verb form after auxiliary (e.g., "has understand" → "has understood")
- Subject-verb agreement (e.g., "neighbors has" → "have")
- Incorrect modals (e.g., "does you" → "do you")
- Always check the tense, subject number, and verb form.
Let me know if you'd like a printed version or explanation for any specific sentence!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of using verbs correctly worksheet.
